HARMOHY UPSET.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 December 1922, Page 5

HARMOHY UPSET.

CANDIDATE’S CHARACTER. GRAVE CHARGES MADE. i. ) INCIDENT AT INVERCARGILL. By Telegraph.—Press Association Invercargill, Last Night. The usual placid and uninterrupted harmony of election campaigns in Invercargill has been upset by happenings in connection with the present contest. The seat for many years has been looked on as the special perquisite of the Hon- J. A. Hanan (a Liberal and ex-Minister), who for 20 years or thereabouts had completely vanquished challengers of his right to rep--1 resent the burgesses of Invercargill. The strong Liberal leanings in this locality have somewhat wavered since the disruption of the Liberals under Sir Joseph Ward, and tendencies in the direction of Reform were very marked recently, leading to the selection of a Massey candidate to contest the seat at this election. The intrusion of Mr. Armstead (Reform) would have the effect of endangering Mr. Hanan’s chance by alienating a number of voters who on former occasions had no alternative but to support him in opposition to the Labor candidate.

The supporters of Mr. Hanan, it is alleged, anticipating the danger of his defeat, infused a surplus amount of keenness into the contest, which, it is reported, is likely to lead some of them into court for defamation of character. It is said lady supporters on Mr. Hanan’s committee, not satisfied with attacking Mr. Armstead’s political principles, went further and made grave and serious charges against his moral character. Mr. Armstead, in a statement in the newspapers, says a whispering campaign against his morals is being industriously circulated. He has run a couple of rumors to earth and supplies refuting evidence. He has now handed the names of the originators of the rumors to a solicitor, and he says emphatically that he can trace these to members of Mr. Hanan’s committeeAt the meeting addressed by the Hon. W. Nosworthy here to-night, Mr. Armstead delivered a speech and read two apologies from members of Mr. Hanan’s ladies’ committee, admitting unreservedly the unfounded nature of the reports circulated and apologising. He further stated that one lady had supplied the names of those present at the meeting at which Mr. Armstead’s character had been discussed and allegations made. The announcement was received Wi’ith vociferous applause.