“BOYCOTT AND INTIMIDATION.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1085, 21 December 1911, Page 3

“BOYCOTT AND INTIMIDATION.”

We reprint the following from to-day's “ Dominion ” :

11 ‘ Liberalism ’ in New Zealand has become infamous through its use of a bad sort ol boycott as a political weapon. But bad as has been the boycott of the ‘Dominion’ and other journals unfavourable to Wardism, it is lessdisgracelul and anti-social than the new turn given to boycotting by the disappointed supporters of Mr Field iu Otaki. We reprint to-day a paragraph from the Otaki Mail, iu which it is stated that ‘ supporters of the successful candidate are being boycotted by certain ardent supporters of the defeated mau.’ The Mail goes on to make a brief protest against ‘ this intolerable spirit of narrow-mindedness.’ Already we have received letters from various leading residents of Levin aud Mauakau, confirming the report mentioned by the Otaki paper, and giving particulars of the shape which the boycott has taken. In Levin, iu Mauakau, and iu Oban, and possibly iu other places, supporters of Mr Field, on the days tollowiug the final poll, called upon various tradesmen suspected of having voted, or known to have voted, against the Government nominee, aud demanded their accounts, intimating at the same time their withdrawal of all future custom. From different and independent sources, all quite reputable and trustworthy-, we have further assurances that at least one of the most prominent public men of Levin has lent himself to this anti-social, auti-Liberal and wholly abominable plan of boycott and intimidation. We are bound to add that one of our correspondents says that he ‘ has no doubt Mr Field would repudiate such action if he knew of it.’

“A good deal can be forgiven a beaten party, but this is a thing that cannot be forgiven or condoned. If it came to retaliation, the friends ot Wardism, in Otaki and in every other district, would sutler more severely than the friends of Reform ; but we trust and believe that retaliation will not be necessary, even in Otaki. In their first agony oi humiliation, the friends of Wardism may fly to the boycott as a way of vengeance, but upon cooler reflection they will perceive that they have nothing to gain, hut much to lose, by resenting defeat in this antisocial and anti-Liberal manner. Our advice to the victims of the boycott in Otaki is to be patient, and to supply us with particulars of the working ot this outrageous scheme. They may rest assured that Reform sentiment has come to stay, that Wardism is scattered co the winds, and that the mean avengers of the ruined party will uot be long in lepeuiing ol their foolish introduction ol a politic*! method that never has succeeded anywhere, and that has had to be paid for very heavily wherever it has been attempted. Mr Field cannot possibly be held responsible lor the anger of his supporters; but uo doubt he will see the wisdom of doing what he can to check them in what looks very like an organised plan of terrorism, which is none the less detestable lor being as fatuous as it is mean. That people calling themselves Liberals should resort to such Lactic is a piece of irony that we need not comment upon, livery honest man can supply his owu comment.” So tar as Foxton is concerned the result of the second ballot has uot left any bad effects. Feeling did uot run so high here as in Levin. Mr Field's supporters, however, lett no stone unturned to return their candidate aud tucir motor cars unwittingly conveyed numbers of Rcbertsou’s supporters to the poll. But this iact was subsequently taken in good part. There is not the slightest doubt, however, that the engagement of the Coronation Hall lor Sir Jas. Carroll cost Mr Field his seat.