THE PROPOSED MEETING AT THE FIREBELL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11799, 31 October 1901, Page 6

THE PROPOSED MEETING AT THE FIREBELL.

TO THE KDITOK. Sir, — think in justice to myself that some accurate explanation with regard to the meet-in-o- falling through should be given, ana not Mr. R. K. Hunt's account, for, seeing that I only returned from a month's sojourn in the bush last Saturday, and both meetings at the Y.M.C.A. Rooms and the firebeil had been convened in my absence I do not see why I should be -made tho scapegoat in the matter on a plea, especially, of a paltry jealousy against another political organisation Air. Hunt is well aware that my true reason for refusing to take part was because I would not be m?de a 14 cat spa w ' by himseii and party, and tins I told him canduhy, but he does not choose to make my position clear 0:1 this point. The facts, shortly, are those: Some six weeks since Mr. Hunt a-sKeci me"if I could get speakers from the _ Trades and Labour Council and other organisations for a public meeting re railway matters. I pointed out to him that his actions m the past had not pleased the Trades and Labour Council and others, and suggested t.iat the question of land settlement and the ban Francisco re-vice should be added to the programme, and wa- very emphatic that the '.nccting should 00 of citizens, with 110 p litical colour about it. To my surprise, curing my absence, and under misrepresentation. mv nam 3 was made us© of for political motives", and since that lime again, and before my return, another meeting was called without the knowledge and consent of the I executive, in such a manner as to make it appear that certain party organisations were going to slate tho Government over the appropriations for public works North of Auckland. I strongly resented this action, a:;d refused to take part personally at the proposed firebeil meeting, hut my solitary action did not stop that meeting. I give place to no one in my desire to see justice done to the Xort'u of Auckland. Personally, I consider that the district has been scandalously treated by all past Governments, ever since tho initiation of the public works policy in 1370. When we see a Government supporter obtain the promise of £15,000 on the Estimates for a small extension of line, which could well stand or?r until the Main Trunk line was completed, and only a like amount for the construction works of all the rest of the Auckland-Mangonui line, I think the cause of this is not far to reek. In the face of this last effort I think Mr. Hunt should leave the question of getting up a pubi-c meeting to someone else.— am. etc., ; T. E. Cheat,.