“MR FIELD AND THE LIBERALS.”

Otaki Mail, 15 December 1919, Page 3

“MR FIELD AND THE LIBERALS.”

(Published by Arrangement.)

To the Editor. Sir, —Under above heading the “Dominion” of December 12th, 1919, says:—“Mr Field dealt’Atrongly with what he termed gross inaccuracy of his opponent, Mr Macdonald, who had alleged that Mr Field had complained of being thrust out of the Liberal Party.

. . . Mr Field said he was never.thrust out by the Liberal Party, and he n,ovcr complained of being thrust out.”

At this late hour (as Mr Field knows) I cannot hope’to reach all those to whom ho spoke, or those who read his report as above, to correct his misrepresentation. For your readers, however, I may quote a leaflet headed “In Time of Peril” and signed W. H. Field, and addressed “To tho Electors of Otaki,” and which quotations tineditor of this paper will verity, as follows :

“Though a sincere Liberal al heart. I was generally regarded as being on the Conservative side of Liberalism, and voted against the Ward Government on a uo-coufidenee motion on freehold tenure. . . . The Liberal Party sought to thrust me out of the Otaki electorate. .. . Self-respect decided me to take an independent stand thenceforward.”

It is my intention to bring the above under the notice of Mr Field titid give him a last opportunity to retract his charge. Throughout the campaign I have not used a word in bitterness, anger or exaggeration. Mr Field’s suggestion that my alleged “gross misstatement” (which the above clearly disproves) is accounted for by chagrin that ] did not get the support of tho Liberal Party, is equally wrong, since I have not sought the support of any party.—V-ours, etc., EVELYN 51ACONALD. December 15, 1919.

[We have compared the quotations cited by Mr Macdonald with the pamphlet referred to, and certify that they arc accurate quotations.—Ed. “Mail.”]