Page 7 Advertisements Column 1

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 23 November 1911, Page 7

REPLY TO MR. MAGUIRE ■ : * BY MR H. HALLIWELL. DON'T FAIL TO READ THIS, INDISPUTABLE FACTS AND FIGURES. MR MAGUIRE CHALLENGED. I CANNOT now reply to the whole of Mr Maguire's speech, but will deal with what 1 consider some of the more important points. The' address was largely made up of generalities and indefinite statements. I intend to publish a further article on Saturday evening and a final one on Tuesday or Wednesday next, replying to the other points'dealt with by the lecturer. The lecturer certainly received a very fair and attentive^ hearing, and -cannot -n any way.complain of the treatment he received. I am not afraid to, declare publicly that I consider that I was not fairly treated at Tuesday night's meeting. The lecturer had stated distinctly that he was prepared to answer all questions, and was willing.to stay there all night for that purpose if required; but as soon as I had asked two questions I was blocked from time to time and never given a fair opportunity. I asked the lecturer if he had not made a certain statement about bankruptcies at Masterton, arid he said "I have not made any such statement." I then said, "But you made that statement at Patea." He then turned round, and in a most insulting manner said, "What is wrong with" this, poor man? Has he lost his headP" 1 consider that the Chairman should, at once taken him to tas2: "for such insulting behavior. I consider that I, as well as any other questioner, was as much entitled to be protected as the lecturer. As a matter j of fact I can prove distinctly that he I made the statement at Patea, and : therefore my question was quite in or- ! I der and did not in any way justify the insulting remark made by. the lecturer. In any case, abuse and insult are not arguments. In any event I am of opinion that considering Mr Maguire's behaviour and extravagant statements at Aramoho, he is the last person who should charge anyone with losing' his: head. I am naturally of a quiet and peaceable disposition, but my treatment at the Hawera meeting has roused me, and Mr Maguire can clearly, understand that I mean business. v I do not intend to discuss the attitude taken up by the Chairman towards myself, which I certainly feel very keenly, but I will leave those who were present to judge between me arid him. Among other things, he persuaded me to refrain from asking further, questions, on the distinct promise that I would have another opportunity later on, but in his anxiety to close the meeting he either ignored or forgot this distinct promise. I would also like to say that I do not believe that half-a-dozen people heard the last part of the resolution moved by Mr Gardner, namely, "That this meeting declares for liberty,",and I do not believe even the chairman heard it, as I am certain that it would never have been allowed to pass unchallenged; in fact, I and two other parties rose before the Chairman put Mr Gardner's resolution with a view of moving an amendment, but were not observed by the Chairman. I am certain that the bulk of the people (I believe threefourths of those present) were absolutely opposed to the opinions expressed by Mr Maguire. In consequence of the interruptions which occurred, I did not make my ponrts as clear as I would like, and I propose to do so very shortly now.