THE HON. JOHN M'KEZIE AND MR JOHN MACGREGOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2389, 14 December 1899, Page 9

THE HON. JOHN M'KEZIE AND MR JOHN MACGREGOR.

(From the Daily Times, December 5.) TO THE HDITOH.

Sir, — Enclosed herewith is a copy of a letter I have to-day addressed to Mr John MacGregor, ex-M.L.C, and I shall be obliged if you will find space for the same. — I am, etc., JOHN M'KENZIE.

• Heathfield, Palmerston, December 1, 1899. • Sir,— The Otago Daily Times of 29th ult., reporting a speech delivered by you in Dunedin the previous night states that you referred to a certain letter I wrote to you two years ago. Why did you not tell the' people that you commenced the correspondence by writing to me on a pertain subject, and that the letter you mention was my reply. On this occasion there were only two letters — yours to me and my reply to the same. Your letter was of a private nature, and bo was my reply. In the whole of my political experience I have never known a private letter to be used in' the manner in which you have used mine without the consent of the party writing being obtained. You have done this at a time when I was absent from the colony by writing to my colleague, who knew nothing of our correspondence, and when my return to the colony was doubtful. lam not able at the present time to publish your letter and my reply, as Both are locked up in my desk in Wellington, and there is no possible means of my getting them until I return there myself." ' -However, to get over this difficulty I shall be glad if you will publish both lettei-3, and let the people of New Zealand judge between us fairly as to whether I deserve all the censure you endeavour to throw upon me for the letter in question* "I also notice in your speech you thought proper to attack my land policy and administration. You do this at a time when you know it is impossible for me to take the platform to reply to you. Generous thip of you who3e letter I hold expressing gratitude to myself for your ever having any existence as an M.L.C. However, you may rest assured that if my health keeps improving I will at n j distant date be able not only to defend my land policy and administration, but will also expose your political hypocrisy in its true nakedness as a lapsed Liberal. — I have, etc., (Signed) JOHN M'KENZIE. Palmerslon, December 1. P.S. — I intend to hand a copy of this letter to the press for publication.— J. M'K. John MscGregor, Esq.