“RESPECTABLE GIRLS."

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 December 1911, Page 8

“RESPECTABLE GIRLS."

[TO IHJS EDITOR. (

Sir, —We have read Mr Russell’s letter of Monday . Our Council did not accuse Mr Russell of being the author of “Respectable Girl’s!' letter nor any thing like it. Neither did we write against the Park Hotel, but only against one time Mr Labour Champion who came out personally upon a critical occasion and hurled abuse and misrepresentations at our candidate who, we contend has put up as clean a political light as any man ever did along this Coast. Upon Mr Webb’s return we will till the Opera House or some other house in Grey and upon the testimony of some very respectable girls and other electors we will make a brilliant effort to hurt these things back and to stigmatise such methods for what they are- Mr Russell writes Jack and Bill and Tim up in the story in a very confused manner. We spoke of no “big Tim” nor “Tiny Tim” nor do we wish to represent the facts other than they were. It is a wonder Mr Russell in his confusion did not bring “Casey” into the argument. Mr Russell admits that he said things. Enough for the present. We shall get done with paper war and await Mr Webb’s return. Thanking you, Sir, I am, etc., J. R. HUNTER. (For the Grey Political Labour Council.) Runanga, December 19th.

[TO TH® EDITOR.]

Sir, —Re Mr Russell’s confession or denial re “Respectable Girls.” I hope you will grant me space in your valuable paper for the following;—Now Sir, in the first place I did not .accuse Mr Russell of writing or causing them to be written or did I mention Mr Russell’s name but only wrote in defence of an absent man’s name. But as Mr Russell has got the cap fixed tight on his head we will take it for granted that it also fits him well or he would not be so anxious to make the poor working class fall off the earth with fright with the thoughts of that twenty pounds. Now as I have already stated I did not accuse anyone of writing those letters but of the report that was circulated re Mi Webb’s speech. Now Mr Editor being only a miner I have got to get my twenty pounds off the point of the pick; not like Mr Russell, off the pump and somdSne else kept to pull that But I am prepared to put up £2O with you if Mr Russell will do the same, the loser’s £2O to go to the hospital, that Mr Webb will prove bebefore a meeting that Mr Russell did misrepresent M Webb’s speech. To prove how it did affect Mr Webb’s name, the night of the election I was standing in front of the Argus Office and passed the remark that Webb had put up a clean fight and had rot said a wrong word abovp anyone. Now one of Mr Russell’s boau.irs called Mac (also sorry to bring your name in Abac hut it is also necessary), who was standing next to me and wanted to know what was ho or what sort of a man he was, meaning Mr Webb, who would get on the platform and say that one half of the girls in the colonies had to earn their living as prostitutes.. Of course I wanted to know right then when and where “Fat” had made that statement. “In the Public Hall,” said Mac. “Did you hear him say that?” said I. “No, but Bob Russell said he did and his word is good enough for me.” Now two other men v.’p'-r> there and heard the remarks and I think they will bear mo °ut. Now as to Mr Russell saying that he left the hall rather than interrupt Mr Webb's meeting. I will ask the question: Would it not have been more honourable to have waited till Mr Webb’s address was over and questions invited on his address or platform and ask Mr Webb to explain those words if used and make him condemn himself there and then, rather than creep out of the hall as Mr Russell admits he did and cast a dirty slur on the fair name of one who has no pub to save, only the emancipation of his class who have to struggle under the weight of the likes of Mr Russell and provide those £2O which Air Russell seems to have an over supply of, or is it only bluff. What a great pity “Pat” did not support the drink traffic instead of the bare majority. Then met kinks the red flag would have been flying over the Park Hotel, and no letters would have appeared from “Respectable Girls.” AITNER’S COTTAGE. (Per J. Arbuckle, Junr.) Runanga, December 19th.