The Mokau

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 December 1911, Page 3

The Mokau

WHAT LEADING AND RESPONSIBLE OPPOSITIONISTS THINK OF MR PERSISTENT SLANDERS.

We (the Manawatu Times) have pointed out more than once that men of high character amongst the Opposition, when they have an opportunity of seeing inside the tactics ■adopted by Mr Massey and Ms party machino become wholly disgusted at the campaign of slander that ho has deliberately adopted' in his wild bid for office.

Mr "William Nelson was spontaneously moved the other day to writ© to Sir Joseph Ward telling him what the knew of Mr Massey's coalition invention. Now the leading Oppositionists of Hawke's Bay have sent the following communication to Mr MeNab. with the intimation that lie is at liberty to use it as ho thinks fit, and lie has handed it to us for publication -

Although in ( politics we are supporters of the Reform Party, and aro opposed to the policy or the present Government, which you are supporting, we enter our most emphatic protest against the action of our party leaders, >?.nd those who are supporting them, in the attitude they tlnave talc en up in reference to the purchase of the Mokau estate by the Mokn.u Coal Company. We are shareholders in the company, some of us are directors, some of us sold the property to the company, and all are intimately acquainted with the circumstances connected with the purchase. We also know the circumstances under which you were induced to take shares in the company, .and, at our request, to become chairman.

Not one of those circumstances reflect in any way upon the action of the Government or upon yourself, and although, the campaign of slander is being carried on by men of our own party, and by our own party leader, in order to strike a blow at the Government and to keep you out of the public life of this count it, our ideas of justice and fairplay compel us to tell the people of the dominion, for what our statements are worth. Hint, the charges made against yourself and the Government are entirely untrue, and. in our opinion, in disgrace to party politics.—(Signed) — BERNARD CHAMBERS. T. MASON CHAMBERS. WILLIAM NELSON. R. D. D. McLEAN. D. WHYTE. MR MASSEY AT~ TAUMARUNUI. ("per prehs association.J TAUIIARUNUI, December 3. The Leader of the Opposition addressed a largo meeting here last night. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried amid cheers.