Proposed Public Meeting in Masterton.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7685, 8 February 1904, Page 5

Proposed Public Meeting in Masterton.

Mr W. M. Easthope, Secretary of the Wairarapa Liberal and Labour Federation, has received the following letter from the Mayor (Mr J. M. Coradine), in reply to a resolution of the Federation, asking him to call a public meeting to protest against the proposed wholesale importation of Asiatics into South Africa:— W. M. Easthope, Esq., Hon. Secretary Liberal and Labour Federation, Masterton. Dear Sir, —I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 2nd inst., covering a copy of a resolution of the Liberal and Labour Federation, containing a request that I convene a public meeting at an early date to discuss the question of introducing Asiatic labour into South Africa. Before definitely replying, I desire to point out that in a matter of such moment it is of the utmost importance that a public meeting should be thoroughly representative of the whole citizens ; and, to ensure this, a requisition for a meeting largely signed by citizens should be obtained, to afford a guarantee of a successful meeting, and a reasonable prospect of obtaining a definite and representative expression of opinion on the matter. The arrangement of speakers would have to be made by the promoters, who would also require to prepare a programme.—Yours faithfully, Jas. M. Coradine, Mayor.