THE EDEN SCANDAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 158, 10 December 1914, Page 8

THE EDEN SCANDAL.

BRIBE TO SOCIAL DEMOCRAT. MR C. J. PARR'S DISCLAIMER. By Telegraph.—Per Preaa Association. Auckland, Last Night. A somewhat remarkable development has taken place) fa connection with Eden election. During the whole of yesterday Mr C. J. Parr, the Government candidate for this Beat, was absent in Waikato attending his sister's funeral. About midday yesterday, as the result of a communication he received, C. W. Harris, who has been acting as secretary of Mr Parr's committee, met Mr Wesley Richards, the Social Democratic candidate, and another, and as the result of a conversation, Mr Harris signed a paper and gave it to Richards, stating that if Richards went to the poll he (Harris) would pay him one hundred pounds. Later in the afternoon, in consequence of something he heard, Harris made frantic efforts to recover possession of the paper bearing his signature, but was un,able to do so, and in the evening it became known that the Social Democrat and Opposition Party, the latter of whom is forwarding the candidature of Mr Tuck, intended to maKe use of Harris' letter.

This morning the letter was printed and distributed broadcast. Mr Parr did not return to the city until to-day. He has made the following statement:— "I left town on Monday evening for Cambridge, to attend the funeral of my sister, and did not return until this morning. Then I learned that Mr Harris had been induced to make some offer to Mr Richards, whereby that gentleman was to remain as a candidate. I immediately saw Mr Harris, and he informed me of how certain gentlemen had come to him, and of all that had taken place in my absence. I need hardly say that I was absolutely astounded at what Harris told me. i hope that there will be an opportunity in the law courts of bringing out all the facts in connection with Mr Harris' interfiews with Mr Richar«s. Further, I need hardly add that I was surprised at the worse than foolishness of Mr Harris in making any offer at all. Mr Harris apparently acted off his own bat, and made the offer to Mr-Richards in his own name. I want, in the most emphatic fashion possible, to assure the public and the electors of Eden in particular, that I knew absolutely nothing of what had taken place between Mr Harris and Mr Richards until 10 o'clock this morning, when I returned from the Waikato. Mr Harris' letter was written without my knowledge, consent, or Authority in any shape or form, and I utterly repudiate any knowledge of or connection with the interviews and offer of yesterday. I may say that my committee disbandoned on Monday, and Mr Harris is not my secretary. He had been acting as organising secretary of my committee up till Monday last, but with the dispersal of my committee his position as organiser ceased. I regret to learn that my opponent is making serious political capital out of this incident, but I am sure the public will accept my assurance that I am entirely innocent of any knowledge of what was done."

i [ ME PAKE ON THE PLATFORM. " DENIES COMPLICITY. " Auckland, Last Night. A vigorous repudiation of all know- * ledge of, or consent to the alleged negotiations between his late election sccrotary, Mr C. W. Harris, and Mr Wesley _ Richards, the Social Democratic candi- • date for Eden, was a prominent feature ; of two speeches delivered to-night by 1 Mr C. J: Parr at Avondalc and Kingsland. In both places the Government j candidate during his explanation of the position received an enthusiastic hearing from the great majority of those present, though insignificant minorities attempted now and then to strike a dis--1 cordant note by interjecting insinuations that Mr Parr had knowledge that the 1 offer of £IOO was to be made to Rich--1 ards to ensure the latter going to the poll. Speaking at the Jubilee Hall, Kingsland, where there was an attendance of some 600 persons, Mr Parr said that before dealing with political questions he wished to refer to the dastardly eleventh hour attempt that had been made to stab him in the back when he was 100 miles away. (Prolonged applause.) "I left Auckland on Monday by express, and was away all way on Tuesday at Cambridge, where I had to attend the funeral of mv sister. Whilst I was in the Waikato on this sad mission I was utterly oblivious of the fact that my political enemies had done this thing. I say that to get a letter of this kind and circulate it in the form of dodgers without giving mo a chance to simultaneously give my explanation of it was cowardly and un-British. (Loud cheers amd applause). Continuing, Mr Parr said these sort of tactics had been in use during the past fortnight, as instance of which he referred to the mobs who have been following up the Prrae Minister and trying to prevent him from obtaining a hearing (Cheers.) "Believe me," he went on, "It ia the samo gang that is trying to smash me now. As regards this £IOO offer, I learned for the first .time on my return from Cambridge this morning that Mr Harris, who had been my election secretary, was approached." Continuing, Mr Parr said, "Harris is prepared to go to court, and will go to court, and swear that he was approached in this matter. (Renewed cheers.) Ho met certain men twice by appointment, and I am wing to get to' the bottom of it. (Applause). I hope to get out every word that passed between those men at that interview. (Uproar and cheers). They got from Harris this precious letter, but what I want to know, and what the electors would like to know, is what were theso other men prepared to do? (Cheers.) We have not heard yet, but we shall hear (Renewed applause.) Having sent this foolish man Harris away, tricked and trapped, these other men at once set to work and got out their precious dodgers and spread them through the whole district. Am I, whom you all have known for 20 years, in Auckland, and who have never done an underhand trick, to be condemned and hounded down by a number of men like this, because of the ac- ( tion of an indiscreet young man, done

absolutely without my knowledge or consent, and in my absence 100 miles away? (Loud cries of "No," and continuous cheering.) I knew nothing of this offer of £IOO to Mr Kichards. As soon as I heard of it I gave Harris one minute to get out of my office. I feel, however, that he was foolish, and no worse. Then I went to the newspapers and repudiated his action, afterwards issuing a circular myself, in which I explained that Harris' offer had been made without my knowledge. The other side had the start of me, and it is difficult for the truth to overtake a slander in such circumstances, so my circulars may not have reached every' elector, but do your best to-morrow." (Voices: "Wo will," and cheers). Mr' Parr added that he knew the people who were paying the cost of dodgers circulated containing Harris' letter. These people, he alleged, held high positions. They were actuated by a desire to do him harm and the Reform party harm. Later he would have something to say to these people. (Cheers.)

A vote of thanks and confidence was carried by an overwhelming majority, only two hands being held up against it. The vote was followed by three cheers for Mr Parr, and three for Mr Massey. Many of those present then made their way to the platform and showered congratulations and assurances of support upon the candidate.