THE BAKEWELL-ISITT DISCUSSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9480, 9 April 1894, Page 3

THE BAKEWELL-ISITT DISCUSSION.

,■■.TO THB EDITOR. Sib,—ln the account supplied to you by Mr. Isitt's friends of the correspondence with reference to the proposed discussion, there are some important omissions. It must not be forgotten that Mr. Melville was put forward by the prohibition party to take up my challenge as Mr. Isitt could not do so himself. I accepted the substitute, and delivered myself of my views and arguments, and have no wish to repeat them in Auckland. Had I met Mr. Isitt I should have been obliged to take up new ground, which would have involved incessant labour until the discussion came off. When, therefore, Mr. Isitt seven months after I had challenged him, to suit his own convenience, told me he would meet me on any of three days— the 18th, 19th, or 20th of April, and proposed that the charges should be 2s and 13, and that the surplus, if any, should be given to charities, I at once refused any such condition, and told Mr. Micdermott that I was engaged on literary work by which I expected to make eight or ten pounds, and which would have to be put aside until the discussion was over, and that I must insist on having half the surplus for my remuneration. To this Mr. Isitt assented by telegram. The enclosed letter explains why I required a guarantee.—l am, etc., R. H. Bakewell, M.D. Karangahape Road, April 7th. Karangahape Road, Auckland, March 31, 1894. Reverend Sir,—Since I wired to you, I have received information which so changes the aspect of affairs with reference to our projected discussion, that I think it best to communicate with you direct, as I cannot see the members of your committee in time to save Monday's mail. We are both fighting men, and I think you will do me the justice to believe me when I say that nothing would give me greater pleasure than to meet you on any platform and discuss the question of prohibition. But, as I told Mr. Macdermott, I cannot afford to throw away my leisure for three weeks (and in less time I could not be prepared to meet you), without remuneration. It was for this reason that I stipulated as an indisoensable condition, that the surplus should be divided between us. Since I received your telegram, I have received further information, from sources on which I can thoroughly rely, which convinces me that our projected discussion will, pos'sibly, not pay expenses, and almost certainly will give us no remuneration. My reasons for thinking this are briefly these : There is complete apathy on the subject of prohibition in Auckland. On your side, your party did not propose a single name for the licensing committees, and the brewers' nominees were elected without opposition. The prohibition vote was so small as to show either that your party is in very small numbers or that it has neither zeal, energy, nor organisation. 2nd. The Prohibition League and the Alliance, are, I am assured, so much annoyed at your taking up this discussion on your own account, without acting through them, that they will hold aloof from the discussion, and take no part in trying to fill the hall. 3rd. Your own people, the Wesleyans, are by no means unanimous about the matter.

4th. I am certain that the party, which for brevity I must call the brewers, will take no part in the meeting. Their policy is inaction — the vis inertiae. 80 far as it has succeeded. I think it an unwise policy, but I cannot get them to buy tickets, if they do not chose to do so. Aud that they will do nothing to promote the success of-the meeting, I am positively assured on the best authority. So that practically we shall have to find an audience amongst the VVesleyans and a few— perhaps 30 or 40—who may wish to hear what I have to say. Even these will not come if it is such a night as to-night, wet and cold.

Now, Mr. Macdermott proposes to take the City Hall. lam sure that we should not do more than fill the Wesley Hall. But let us suppose the City Hall is taken; it will hold about £40 with Is and 6d charges (Is in the dress circle). The expenses of hall (£6 10s) aud advertising will amount to at least ten guineas. Several business men whom I have consulted doubt whether we shall take ten guineas; the most sanguine said, " I think you'll make your expenses, but not more."

Now, we are neither of us novelties in Auckland, and I am certain that if it were a rainy night, as it is very likely to be, we should not have fifty people in the house. You do not know Auckland as I do, or you would never have proposed 2s and Is charges. All.your committee and half-a-dozen others whom I have consulted, without one exception, say that this charge is out of the question.

If, however, your committee and yourself feel confident of success, and will back up their opinion so far as to guarautee me £10 I will meet you on any day you like to name, giving me three weeks' notice. In this case all the arrangements and expenses would devolve on yourself and your committee. I should prefer a two hours' discussion, with a few minutes of interval, as I found an hour and a half cramped me too much in the* discussion with Melville. If you think it desirable to publish this letter you are at liberty to do so, with the exception of the sentences in brackets, which have no public importance. You will see that I am taking a purely businesslike view of the affair, but with me it is simply a. matter of business. I cannot accept any less sum than £10. I only got the information about the brewers party definitely this morning.—l am, etc., R. H. Bakewell, M.D. The Rev. Leonard Isitt.