VOTE SPLITTING IN MANAWATU.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3866, 3 November 1928, Page 1

VOTE SPLITTING IN MANAWATU.

(To the Editor). Sir, —For a beginning let us go back six years. Mr. Newman had represented Manawatu for a number of years. Owing, I understand, to ill health, he was retir--ing knowing that he had served his country and district with honour and distinction. At that time Mr. Massey had not the large majority in the House which he afterwards obtained. It was very necessary for the Party that a Reform member should be sent from Manawatu to take Mr. Newman’s place. Without the majority of the electors being consulted, Mr.. Linklatcr was appointed the Government Nominee for the Constituency and I venture to say that the majority of the electors to this day are unaware in what manner and by whom Mr. Linklater was nominated. Here is the start of the trouble. It was no use the followers iof Reform in the district trying to select their own candidate when Mr. Linklater was standing, as we might say, with Mr. Massey’s .brand on him. Being staunch supporters of Reform we stood solidly behind him and he was returned as our member although we had no voice in selecting him. Now we are told we are vote splitters and have been accused of leaving the Reform Party. It is clear to any sane man or woman that our actions for the last six years in voting for a man we don’t want, simply because we wanted to see Mr. iCoates returned to the House with a majority disprove both these statements. On October 25th a meeting of Reform supporters was held in Foxton. There were present supporters of Reform from all parts of the district except Lower Rangitikei. A motion of confidence in Mr. Linklater was carried. It seems to me it was not a meeting of supporters of Reform but a meeting of Mr. Linklater’s supporters. How was that meeting called? Was it by public notice or by invitation? (We in lower Rangitikei knew nothing of it although a t last -election out of 4428 Reform votes polled in the constituency of Manawatu 509 were polled in lower Rangitikei, Bulls being the fourth highest polling booth in Manawatu. This is but one instance of apparently studied neglect that can bring about only one thing—dissatisfaction. Now the time has arrived when we strongly refuse to be any longer “as dumb driven cattle” and have the whip cracked over our heads. We will not listen to those who say we must vote for our present members. As -staunch believers in the principles and works of the Reform Party we demand the right of every voter in this democratic country to select an Independent Reform candidate who will actively represent us, one who, if returned, will go to the House free in all things except one. We must have his assurance that he will vote for Mr. Coates’ party on a vote of No Confidence moved by any other party in tho 'House, We have the Independent candidate’s'-assurance of this. I am, etc., TE KOOTI.