MR STEVENS IN REPLY TO MR FRANEEAND.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 442, 14 November 1908, Page 3

MR STEVENS IN REPLY TO MR FRANEEAND.

[to the editor.] Sir, —ln reply to Mr Frankland’s letter published in your issue of the 10th inst., I regret the necessity for continuing this controversy. Mr Frankland admits that my remarks about the “half” and the “ whole,” apply accurately to the first ballot. Now, what is the inference ? He first wishes to swamp the political boat, and then call for assistance through the Second Ballot, to save those who are drowning. No loyal Parly man would force such a position, but as Mr Frankland only understands the theory of election contests, I shall allow him to enjoy his own light and airy opinions upon this point. With reference to the money alleged to have been expended by Mr Frankland at last election to secure my return, I did, in my former letter, courteously ask him to furnish me with an account of the money expended, in order that I might reimburse him for his outlay. As Mr Frankland has refused to do so, I can only place one construction on his altitude in this matter, viz,, that he wishes the public to believe that he expended money in paying my election expenses at last general election, which money 1 have not repaid to him. I now challenge Mr Frankland to prove that he did legally expend any money on securing my return. I lo believe his assertion, and resent his imputation which he makes against me, viz., that I did not pay the whole of my election expenses on the occasion to which he relers. If Mr Frankland desires to be looked upon as a paragon ol purity, I would suggest that he should confine himself to facts relating to the expenditure of money in connection with my election expenses, and so avoid the necessity ol having to expend further sums of money (?) in the purchase of pain-killer.—Yours etc., John Stevens.