DIRECT ACTION AT POLITICAL MEETINGS.

Evening Star, Issue 17225, 15 December 1919, Page 12

DIRECT ACTION AT POLITICAL MEETINGS.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—When it came to question time last ovening (Friday) after Lieutenant-colonel Colquhoun (Liberal candidate) had addressed the meeting, I told the chairman (Mr Wm. Allan, solicitor) that I did not belong to Mosgiel, and that with his permission I would like to ask the candidate some questions. Knowing who I was, Mr Allan did not want to givo me the opportunity, but it he candidate told the chairman ho would be pleased to answer my questions. On the chairman then withdrawing his objections, I proceeded politely to ask Lieutenant-colonel Colquhoun to explain his position in regard to the Crampton case a't Wanganui, and pointed out that in refusing to allow Magistrate Hewitt's report against Militarygaoler Crampton to be admitted a3 evidence a't the.military court martial, Lieutenantcolonel Colquhoun (president) and the others who conducted the court martial proved that there existed to-day in New Zealand tho system of military autocracy dominating our civil life the same as our soldiers were 'told they had to fight against in the lato war with Germany—namely, Prussian Militarism. After Mr Colquhoun had, in his way as a military officer, answered my two questions, and seeing that his audience did not want to hear tho truth about 'the Crampton scandal, J tluuikod Mr Colquhoun and resumed my seat. The candidate seemed anxious to answer my questions if permitted to do so. —I am, etc., G. S. Thomson. December 13.