THE ALEXANDRA CONFERENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26779, 24 May 1948, Page 6

THE ALEXANDRA CONFERENCE

Sir.—After Mr L. J. Ireland’s years of public life, I was amazed to read that he should launch an attack on incorrect facts. First, what I had to say about the Alexandra conference was not said at an interview, but at a meeting in reply to the reported statement of Mr W. H. Gillespie, M.P., who had deplored the rift between town and country. Secondly, there were only three personal invitations extended by the joint committee of the Central Otago branches of Federated Farmers to city representatives and Mr Ireland was not included in these three. Thirdly, I have no objections to people holding different political opinions. As a member of Parliament I have worked for all irrespective of their views, and no one knows this better than Mr Ireland. All my parliamentary colleagues adopt the same attitude, and, although no longer members of the City Council, representations which this body has recently made have received our wholehearted support. Having made my protest. it is good to know that the city members of Parliament will not now be by-passed when the deputation meets the Minister of Railways on the all-important subject of the advancement of Central Otago. The reference to a very old and not respected slogan leaves me cold. My verbal magazine is full of political ammunition, and will be used for broadsides and not for sniping such as “Ace of Hearts ” revels in.—l am, etc., P. G. Connolly.