THE OTAKI SEAT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1308, 8 October 1914, Page 3

THE OTAKI SEAT.

SELECTING THE REFORM CANDIDATE.

MR BYRON BROWN DISSATISFIED.

As previously mentioned there were two aspirants for the Party support in the Government interest for the Otaki seat at the forthcoming election, viz., Messrs Byron Brown and W. H. Field. Mr Brown has contested the seat unsuccessfully in the Reform interest on several occasions. At last election he split the Reform vote with the official candidate, Mr Monckton, securing 1028 votes against Mr Monckton’s 1155. Had one of these candidates stood down the seat would have been a “cake walk” for the Reform Party. It will be remembered that the Reform Party support in large measure was transferred in the second ballot to the Federation of Labour candidate on the understanding that he would vote against the Government on a noconfidence motion. The Labour candidate was successful and we know how the pledge was fulfilled. However, that is a matter for future reference. Since the last election the second ballot has been abolished. The Reform Party in the constituency decided not to be tricked again and have endeavoured to arrange for a straight-out candidate to represent the constituency in the Party interest. Branches of the Reform League have been formed throughout the constituency and at a meeting of delegates held at Levin last Saturday Mr W. H. Field was elected by 14 votes to one as the Party candidate, Mr Brown is not satisfied with the selection and it looks as if the Party vote is again to be split. Since the meeting of delegates Mr Brown has published the following letter: — "Sir.—-In your issue of this morning I note the result of the voting of Otaki delegates. My friends and supporters have long ago ceased to identify themselves with Mr Paape’s organisation, and all but one ot the delegates who voted at Saturday’s meeting were either elected by a few of Mr Field’s friends or were selfappointed. Some months ago Mr Guthrie, M.P., went to Manakau to meet the Reformers. At this meeting a committee was balloted for, and the election resulted in all being supporters of mine. After the election Mr Guthrie was asked if Mr Field would abide by the voting of the different meetings, to which he replied that Mr Field was the Government nominee, and would not stand down, no matter what happened. At this my supporters, by far the majority of those present, left the room in a body and declined to have anything further to do with the organisation. Since this happened ray voters all over the electorate have taken no further action, and Mr Paape’s meetings have been held by Mr Field’s friends ; and delegates have been appointed by them. This explains the voting, 14 to 1. In your report, Mr Paape mentions my letters to Otaki and Paraparaumu, and claims that I agreed to stand down on the voting of the delegates. This statement is quite unfounded, and I challenge Mr Paape to produce and publish the said letters. As a matter of fact, Mr Paape received my Paraparaumu letter, but refused to have it read. At Otaki my friends were too numerous, and he was obliged to permit the letter to be heard. The delegates who voted at Levin were unrepresentative, and do not express the opinions ot one hundred voters.”

To this letter Mr Paape yesterday published the following reply in the Dominion ; Sir,—Mr Byron Brown takes exception to the following from the report of the Levin conference, contained in your issue of the sth instant: — There were two aspirants for the seat, viz., Messrs Byron Brown and W. H. Field. The former, in a communication to the Otaki and Paraparaumu branches intimated that he would stand aside if Mr Field undertook to do so in the event of the voting going against him. I accept Mr Brown’s challenge and quote from the letter written by Mr Brown to the Paraparaumu meeting:— Otaki, July 27, 1914. I wish it to be clearly understood at your Paraparaumu meeting that I will not stand down unless Mr Field undertakes to stand down in the event of the voting going against him. I am willing to sacrifice myself and my prospects rather than spoil the Reform prospects, but Mr Field must start on at least equal terms with me. On Mr Field being made aware of the position he agreed with me as official organiser to abide by the decision of a conference of delegates from the Reform League in the electorate, and the conference was called accordingly. The bargain made by Mr Brown was fulfilled, and the only question, therefore, that remains to be is as to whether there is any justification for the following statement made by that gentleman, viz.:— The delegates who voted at Levin were elected by very small unrepresentative meetings organised by Mr Field’s friends. The position briefly is as follows: The Levin branch of the Reform League convened a meeting of delegates and supporters of the Party, which was held at Levin on July ’lB last. There was an at-

tendance of 21 gentlemen from the following centres : Levin, Oroua Downs, Shannon, Reikiorangi, Manakau, Otaki, Foxton, Waikanae, Moutoa, Paekakariki. At this conference it was agreed that the organiser visit all parts of the electorate for the purpose of addressing meetings and supporters and forming branches of the league. The programme was then drawn up by the conference, and representative gentlemen were asked to act as conveners in their respective districts. In addition, the meetings were advertised in the Chronicle (J_evin), Hicrai,d (Foxton), Standard (Palmerston North), The Dominion (Wellington). It will thus be seen that the utmost publicity was given to the meetings. As to the delegates being elected by small unrepresentative meetings, I must say that the meetings generally were well attended, as the following will show “A meeting of supporters of Reform was held at Manakau last night, when the schoolroom was considerably overtaxed.” Vide Otaki Mail, July 31, i9 r 4- “ At Otaki 50 supporters were present, and at Waikanae over 100.” Vide Mail, and so on. Owing to the outbreak ol war and the consequent political truce, no active organisation took place in the Otaki electorate, and all engagements were indefinitely postponed until such time as a definite announcement had been made regarding the holding of the general election. I am convinced that the result of the conference reflects the views of the Reform supporters in the Otaki electorate.