MR THOMSON'S RATANUI MEETING.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXIII, Issue 1164, 23 October 1896, Page 5

MR THOMSON'S RATANUI MEETING.

, TO THE EDIT.OB.. „ ■,- ; r :. Sir,—l am sure that Mr Thomson's political opponents in common with,,his,supporters will condemn the animus and petty spite displayed by your Eatanui correspondent last week. Your correspondent's greatest' objection to Mr Thomson seems,to be on account of his age. Of course, in common with the rest of mankind, Mi' Thomson is not so young as he once''was-; but both mentally and physically; he is as strong and- active as ever, while he is twenty .years younger than some of the ablest and most influential members of I our Parliament and is much younger than most of the men who in the nations of Europe shape the destines of the world. If Mr Thomson is getting up in years it. is. only equivalent to saying that he has had a great experience in public life and has had a large share 'in making the history of the colony. When that history comes to be written, I venture to say that Mr Thomson's.name will be prominent for honesty of purpose, integrity in the discharge of every duty, and for wise and prudent counsels in connection with public affairs. Your, correspondent may sneer as he chooses, but it is men of honesty, ability and experience of the Thomson stamp who are required in Parliament in the present crisis. —I atn, &c, Electob.

• <w TO THE EDITOR. Siu, — Your "correspondent from this place gives anything but a correct account of the proceedings at Mr Thomson's meeting. He says that about fifty rolled. up, and that they' were of the class not hard to please. This really means that the people were pleased, and this is quite true so far as appearances went. The number present \yas about sixty, which is as many as could be expected in a small place like this. Your correspondent says that Mr Thomson expressed himself as opposed to the woman's franchise. This question did not come up at all. Someone asked Mr Thomson whether he was in favou^ of women sitting in Parliament, and to this he at once replied that he was not. As to the reading of the Bible in schools, Mr Thomson expressed himself in favour of this. The lady who asked the. question seemed pleased with the reply ; but according to your correspondent the reply was anything but satisfactory to those present. From this we may conclude that people here do. not favour the reading of the Bible in schools. M/ opinion is exactly the reverse of this. Your correspondent rakes up Mr Thomson's rejection some years ago by the Clutha electorate. Most public men suffer defeat some time or other. Against the one defeat in Mr Thomson's case, wo must place the many iimes he was elected by the (Jlutha. I may say also that shortly after his defeat, ho was elected member for 13ruee by an almost unprecedented majority, and that, but for some family affliction, he might have been member for Bluco to this day. Your correspondent endeavours to discredit Mr Thomson's candidature on account of his age. I have heard since the meeting, that on the d;iy he addresssd us, he came all the way from Lory's, and spoke for about two hours in the open aiv at Papatowai. Anyone who, in one day can address two political meetings, and ride 20 miles through these wretched roads of ours, has surely sufficient physical energy to be a member of the House. " Your owri's ' remarks as to the vote of thanks are also misleading. At the close of the meeting, the Chairman proposed a vote of thanks, but. MiThomson rose and said he thought ar,y motion that might be proposed should come from the meeting itself. Mr Moncur at once rose and said that although he did not 'agree with everything Mr Thomson had said, yet that he had made a good speech, and deserved a hearty vote of' thanks. This motion was not seconded' as your correspondent says by Mr Callagban' but by Mr l^elany, this gentleman and Mr Pollock both rising at the same time to second it. — I am, etc., One Who Was Present. Eatanui, October 19, 1896.