MR. KETTLE AND THE LICENSED VICTUALLERS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11736, 13 September 1902, Page 2

MR. KETTLE AND THE LICENSED VICTUALLERS.

To the Editor. Sir, —In your 'article ■of this momingyou are partially correct in some of your statement®, and largely incorrect in others, particularly in those referring to Mr. Willis. The facts are as follows:—Recently the chairman (Mr. Kettle) invited the President of the Licensed Victuallers' Association in Wanganui to state the grievances of the trade. A statement, or as you term it, indictment, was drawn ujj, and duly forwarded to Mr. Kettle, concluding with the following paragraph:----"It is unnecessary to cite further cv all the grievances of the trade and me \vrin which they have for several jears t«en tyrannised over, and the Association trusts that this statement of the position will be the means of bringing about remedial measures, and that Mr. Kettle will s'jee Ms way to ask for a commission of inquiry with power to call witnesses." Now, Mr. Kettle Kaa not seen his way to comply with the request, in fact wrote the President to the effect that he would not do so. The Association did- ask Mr. Willis to see the Minister of Justice with a view to having the inquiry held, and in making the request suggested' to him that he should see Mr. Kettle and inform him that he had been so requested, so that there should be nothing of the nature you insinuate. In justice to Mr. Willis, it is only right that I should make this statement, and at the same time to say that I think all will agree that the licensed victuallers have as good a right to approach Mr. Willis, as member, on any matter affecting their interestsi as has any oitber section of the community. As to the indictment being ridiculous or frivolous1, the Association/, I may say, court its publication at the hands of Mr. Kettle, so that the public may judge.— Yours faithfully, C. J. M'CARTHY, Secretary of Wanganui Licensed Victuallers' Association.