THE LATE POLITICAL MEETING AT LAWRENCE. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7929, 21 July 1887, Page 3

THE LATE POLITICAL MEETING AT LAWRENCE. TO THE EDITOR.

Sm, —As your " Own Correspondent, it is y duty to reply to those two writers signing lemselves as " A Member of the Committee " id " One Who Was There " re my report of the iceting held here on Wednesday last. I shall ot trouble myself to say much in reply to " A [ember of the Committee." That my report as correct I again repeat. Nor am I in any way uposed to iinancial reform. Now, if you refer j my report you will see that I stated, " One ud all concurred that reduction in salaries in rery department must be insisted on." Surely lose words ought to be sufficient if the writer as ability to comprehend a simple meaning; ut no, that does not suit his purpose, which is niy to try and mislead. Ho could not have 2ad my report intelligently, otherwise he would ot have charged me with stating, or inferring lat I said that a motion asking Sir Robert tout to address a meeting here was put to the leeting. My report does not say anything of be kind. So much for the veracity of that Member of Committee." Now I am afraid that I shall have to take lore space in replying to "One Who Was There." will say at the outset that my report was true, 'hat it was not "biassed or misguiding, nor ■ritten with a view to discrediting the reform lovement." As regards a slight error I thought had possibly made, viz., "That the meeting ias ca'led to consider the present political situaion," I cannot find more suitable words than a quote a reply from the letter signed " A Menier of Committee." He states that I was " trying d mislead those residing outside Lawrence as to lie true state of political feeling iv that town." low, Sir, that shows at once, according to that lember of committee, that tho word political tun perfectly correct. And as regards my statement that half the audience left before the last lotion was put, I still adhere to it. There i no doubt, Sir, " the interest taken n the proceedings was of a most exeptioual character. An undue amount of uiauimily prevailed" (?) I do not dispute, f I am to be guided by the number of gentleaen who took part or interest in the proceedings resides those on the platform—and their numicr was only two who did so by speech, aud ;hat was on the much-vexed question of educa,ion. Now, Sir, as regards that question, I am latisiied in my own mind, and I am supported iy many others, that a 15 per cent, reduction at ;he first attempt is far enough, and would be nost likely to have weight with the Legislature, mil might stand a show of being carried. There iro- a few who wish to destroy our national system, and would do anything and everything to accomplish their object. There is no doubt but a large deduction, owing to the prescntstate of our finances, will have to be made in the cost of maintaining it; but its total destruction, never. Our Roman Catholic brethren have my warmest sympathy, and deserve some recognition. They ought to be allowed at.he some rate per head per annum as our national schools, subject to payment by result and Governmeutinspectiou. My remarks as to " genuine enthusiasm " may be safely left to tbe very large number who went out before the meeting was over; and as to the " widespread indignation " >*c my report, tbat may safely bs allowed to germinate in the brain of "One Who Was There." In conclusion, !iir, I have to state that I was not biassed; nor had 1 any feeling in the matter, but simply to do my duty faithfully. I have attended every political meeting that has taken place here, and I cau, without any qualms of conscience, say that the first part of the meeting was slow, and the latter part was—what shall I say? Why, faster, and this was all owing to the two or three wbo introduced the political element in such a very biassed manner. I am satisfied (and many others are of tho same opinion) that this element was introduced for tho purpose of destroying the unanimous feeling that exists here as regards retrenchment in every branch of the State service.—l am, Sc., Youu Own Cokhkspondent. Lawrence, July 13.