Politics in Gisborne

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19480, 12 November 1937, Page 10

Politics in Gisborne

Sir,—May I crave a little more of your space to reply to a correspondent who is at present engaged in criticising the Labour member for this district, Mr. D. W. Coleman. “Veracity” would like your readers to believe that he is not actuated by personal notoriety, in his endeavour to place what are termed “facts” before the public; hence the desire to remain anonymous. It is to be hoped that the Government will bring down legislation this session, whereby these individuals who delight in taking “sitting shots” at tried and trusted public men, will be invited to come out into the open with their “facts” and sign their names, and not have access to the coloumns of the press unless they do so.

“Veracity” would have readers to believe that he is in control of “facts" concerning “seething discontent” which he says is manifest in the Labour movement towards our trusted Mayor and Parliamentary representative. “Veracity’s” reference to the “one-man-one-job” theory is too stupid for men and women with any thinking capacity to take notice of. It is not a plank in the Labour Party’s platform. If it were, it would divorce any Labour candidate from standing for any public office, where an honorarium was attached, should they hold any other position. It is too absurd! What Mr. Coleman may be receiving as district secretary of the New Zealand Workers’ Union is definitely the concern of the rank and file members of that organisation, and not “Veracity’s,” unless, of course, he is a member. If the latter is the case, and he disagrees with Mr. Coleman holding such a position, then why does he not do his job properly, at the proper time and in the proper place—at a meeting of the union? I suggest that meeting as n place where “Veracity” may meet “friends.” “Veracity’s” suggestion of a change in the Labour candidate is pure unadulterated bunkum, and is only the wish of his coterie of heresy hunters. The Labour movement, which was responsible for the candidature of Mr. Coleman for the local bodies and as member for the district mentioned by “Veracity" would much prefer the services that Mr. Coleman has rendered to the people of Gisborne and district, than to the likes of “Veracity.” This will, I am sure, also be shown by the great bulk of the electors whom Mr. Coleman serves. Let us hope that the day is not far distant when Parliament will give us the opportunity of coming our into the open and put an end to these attacks that are made on our public men in the press under the shield of a non de plume.—Yours, etc. OBSERVER.