A DENIAL.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4387, 18 March 1909, Page 3

A DENIAL.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —At a meeting of milk suppliers held at Waihou on March 3rd it was asserted by a milk supplier present that J. Gh Wilson, president of the Farmers’ Union, had asked the Premier to remove the tax off sheep and put it on cows. In reference thereto the Secretary was asked to write Mr Wilson as to the truth or otherwise of this assertion. Inclosed is a copy of letter sent and also the reply from Mr Wilson. If you can find space in your valuable columns for these items, I should esteem it a favour.—l am, etc., H. O. Cooper, Secretary.

. ' Tisdale, Waihou, March 4,1909. Mr J. Gh Wilson, Dear Sir, — At a'public meeting held at Waihou last night, it was asserted that you asked the Premier to take the tax off sheep and put it on the cows. Kindly reply as to the truth or otherwise of the above assertion, and oblige -yours, H. O. Coopeb, Secretary W. F. Union. H. O. Cooper, Esq., Sec., Farmers’ Union, Waihou, Dear Sir, - Your letter of the 4th inst., duly to hand. You say a statement was made at a meeting re Dairy Regulations that I aßked the Premier to remove the tax off sheep and put it on cows. This reminds me of the Parable of the tares. When the owner of the field went out and saw them growing amongst the

grain you remember he said : “An Enemy hath done this,” and that seems to me to be the position. My whole public life has been more or less devoted to watching that the farmers are not taxed ; and our Union and our paper especially were the most important factors in stopping the Dairy Regulations bemg put into fordo. Many dairy people wrote thanking us for our efforts. You can tell the person who made the statement that there is not an atom of truth in the statement. While others have themselves (vide harbour laws, Public Health, etc., etc.,) inspected at the cost of the country. Is it likely that the Union or I myself would ever be such idiots as to suggest such a thing. lam glad you have given me the opportunity of denying it. Wishing you all success.—Tours, etc., James G. Wilson, President Farmers’ Union.