MEETING THAT MISCARRIED.

Evening Star, Issue 22973, 2 June 1938, Page 6

MEETING THAT MISCARRIED.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The “ fiasco ” meeting in the North-east Valley Town Hall turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable evening’s entertainment for those who attended. I think it was most despicable of the parties who had associated themselves with .Mr Butler in the convening of the meeting to leave him to “ carry the baby.” One could not but feel a certain sympathy for a man of his years having to attempt to “ hold the fort ” on his lonesome. It was quite evident that Mr Butler was being compelled to fire the shots that someone else had made. Some person, or persons, whose courage had failed them at the last moment, deciding “ discretion was the better part of valour,” had left him to fend for himself. I do hope they are now feeling thoroughly ashamed of themselves (after perusing your reporter’s account of the “ free for all ”) for their shabby and shameful treatment of their fellow conspirator. They certainly owe him a most abject apology. At the same time, they owe a similar apology to those ratepayers who turned out in response to the somewhat sinister-worded advertisement on such a dirty night. (It was a “dirty night,” typically fitting for what I am positive was fully intended to be a “ dirty meeting,” but of that opinion more anon). Mr Butler stated from the platform that Mr E, S. Black was one of his associate conveners, but I notice where that gentleman very quickly hastens to deny the impeachment, consequently 1 now wonder what has Mr Butler to say in reply to that denial P I would also mention that Mr Butler, during one of the many “ confabs ” he had with his “ chairman crony,” informed the latter of three other gentlemen who had promised “ to go over the top ” with him in hia North-east Valley Town Hall venture, and who had ignominously “ deserted ” at “zero hour.” Is Mr Butler now prepared to offer the general publio the same concrete information as to their identity which ho tendered his confidant of the chair?” In fairness to himself and hia audience of last night I think he should, for, as Mr Watt remarked when taking the chair, “ Mr Butler had been left in the lurch with an unsavoury job on his hands.” The revelation of the persons concerned would, I feel sure, prove most illuminating to the public, and the north end residents in particular. Now, just what was the objective aimed at by the “ invisible conveners P” As all the matter, outlined in the ad vertiseraent, had already been thoroughly thrashed out during the recent local elections campaign, was last night’s meeting intended to be the “ first shot ” in the parliamentary one? If so, well the “ first shot ” has badly misfired. As the meeting was staged in the North-east Valley Town Hall (in Mr Munro’s electorate, please note) was it planned to terminate with “ a no-confidence motion ” (concerning our much-respected Dunedin North representative) with a belittling and disparaging tag attached, so that same could be Press Associated from one end of New Zealand to the other P The writer is under no illusions as' to the tactics of the New Zealand “ Nazis hence the query. Many other north end electors will well remember the mysteriously-conjured and inspired letter of “A Wharf Lumper ” that cost Mr Munro his seat against the late Mr Tapley, To quote anti-Labour tactics of a later date, we have not forgotten how Mr Munro’s utterances during the last General Election campaign were twisted and distorted and misinterpreted and broadcast by the “ Tory Press ” from Auckland to the Bluff. I refer to the “guns” canard. As commented earlier herein, the “ first shot ” has misfired, and it behoves the supporters of the only party worth while supporting to ensure that all other efforts meet a similar fate. An old adage reads: “All is fair in love and war.” To some the anti-Labour forces have added these two additional words, “ and politics.”—l am, etc., R. Walker June 1.