MR O’BRIEN’s RED HERRING.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1931, Page 5

MR O’BRIEN’s RED HERRING.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —It was scarcely to have been expected, that the,..Westland,,Xabom*. candidate could complete an election campaign without the introduction of his so oft-repeated tactics of resort to personalities and extraneous matters with the object of bringing about the only means by which ho has hitherto or is ever likely to he elected—a split in the votes of tlio.e ordinarily opposed to the Socialistic platform of the Labour Party. On this occasion however I desire to thank Mr O’Brien for again taking up his beloved weapons and by such free use of my name in his manifesto distributed broadcast on Saturday last having given me the opportunity 0 f publicly Announcing that the Greymouth suppoiters of the United and Reform parties are in unison in their desire to secure the return of the Coalition candidate. Mr Greenslado and I in the past have had several differences on local body and others matters—and may have others in the futurli We are however in perfect agreement in the one opinion that no greater danger could threaten New Zealand than the possibility of the election to the treasury benches of a, party which might he so rash as to make a feigned attempt to carry out the extravagant promises made by the candidates in their vote-catching campaign—which promises none better than the candidates themselves know to he impossible of fulfilment.

It can be quite understood that the combining of tlie Greymouth followers of the United and the Reform parties and the failure of 'the attempts of Mr O’Brien to bring about dissension in their ranks is causing his party serious concern as to the result of Wednesday's poll. With United and Reform supporters in other parts of the electorate as much in agreement as are those parties’ supporters in the town of Greymouth such concern would appear well founded. I am etc., J. w. HANNAN. Winnie Street, Greymouth, 30:11:31. WHO PAYS! (to the editor) Sir,_lt has been said that the burden of taxation is being unfairly placed on the poorer classes and that- the man getting over £4OO a year is not being made to pay in proportion. The following return, of a non-resident of Hokitika which has passed through my hands is an actual instance of the increased taxation on such man. Income Tax 1030, £39/19/11. Income and Unemployment Tax, 1931, on same income £9B/6 o. I am etc., ' R. WILD. Hokitika, 30th Nov. 1931.