A RETOINDBR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2151, 16 May 1895, Page 33

A RETOINDBR.

TO THE KDITOB. Sib,— l did unwittingly omit from my last reference to the amount of the New Zealand Uuioa's deficit, in which it seems I ought to have included — not have deducted — the contribution of £31 from the Auckland Union. But since the publication of the balance sheet Taranaki has sent in £8 odd, so that the actual deficit now stands at £60 odd, and Obago's share of tho levy will be a trifle over £10. By way of set-off it has to be borne in mind that the ceutral union say that our payment towards the liquidation of the deficit will entitle us to draw £25 per man towards the expenses of Otago's representatives in any team sent to Australia next year. It will ba for our executive to see that that bargain is carried out. I have, however, as little fear on that head as I have that affiliation will prove to be of the "temporary" character so ardently desired by " Forward," to whose feelings I do no violence when I say that he regard* the new order as an abomination. " Forward " hardly needs my assurance, though he has it now, that I am not the adviser of the New Zealand Union. Mr Strong^ name was never suggested to them by me ; nor does it appear from the official records of that body, which are the proper chaunels for communicating information, that that gentleman has been offered any appointment, as suggested. For once I find myself in agreement with " Forward." It would not be fitting that " a person who is merely one out of a body of 50 or 60 delegates should have any power of nomination in his hands." I will go further, and say that the executive of the Ofcago Rugby Union, or their appointed delegate, should be consulted before any appointment of the kind is made, and that to go bsyond them would, in my opinion, constitute a most irregular and reprehensible proceeding. But it is anything but courteous, to use a very mild term, to suggest that because a misstatement of fact appeared in the columns of the newspaper with which I am connected I am to ba charged with all sorts of sins of commission. What would " Forward " think of me were I to seek to fix on the executive of the Otago Ragby Union the re«

aponslbllity for the missfcatomente of fact th*| appear over li\s own signature ? Ido nob m«4 to piiiso f>r his rf-i'ly- — I am, &c., Mahk Cohen.