CORRESPONDENCE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1075, 28 November 1911, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE

( i'o the Kditor.)

Sir. —Being in Foxton I noticed your editorial re Mr Moucktou’s remark about leaving the country ii Prohibition were carried, and as political capital is evidently being made out of it, I feel it only right to explain the circumstances. Mr Mouckton certainly did use the words, but no one at the meeting, not even the correspondent of the Standard, took the expression as being anything but a joke. The position was this : Mr Ross was on his feet asking the question, “In the event of Prohibition being carried at this election would you be iu favour of submitting the question of State Control to the people ? ” No sooner had he arrived at the words “this election” than Mr Mouckton interjected, “I leave the country ! ” We all, including myself, who am as ardent a Prohibitionist as any one, looked upon it as a joke as was intended and it was greeted with storms of laughter. No one attached any meaning of importance to the interjection—when I say no one, 1 include Mr Ross and the Standard’s correspondent, whoever he may be —for Mr Mouckton went on to answer the question. Just prior to this Mr Mouckton had, in reply to a question, stated that he considered the Liquor Question to be outside party politics, for the people had it in their own hands to decide as they choose. Why the correspondent of the Standard reported the remark is totally beyond my comprehension, for I am positive that no one would even have remembered it if it had not been looked upon as rather a smart repartee at Mr Ross’ expense. Fveu Mr Moncklou himself would not have remembered it, I leel sure, if the Standard’s correspondent hadn’t chronicled it. 1 don’t wish you to imagine that I hold a brief for Mr Mouckton for I have never spoken to him personally ; but as I believe he is opposed to Prohibition, and as I am strongly iu favour ol it, I may be reasonably supposed to be biased against him. But, because I am strongly of the opinion that every candidate should have fair play and should not have nis words distorted by interested correspondents, I, though I have no intention of voting for Mr Moncklou, would like to see him win or lose by fair means. “Half truths are not truths” as every one knows. My desire for fair play must be my excuse lor troubling you on this matter. —I am, etc., W. G. Gibbs. Glen Oroua.