LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 234, 26 June 1908, Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

STATE FIRE INSURANCE. Sir.—For several years past I have been agitating for our Parliamlient to establish a State firo insurance to lessen the exorbitant cliarges tbo peoplo liavo had to submit to by the foreign insurance companies. I find that Sir Joseph AVard has again shown his unfitness for the position ho at present holds by amalgamating with the other companies for a universal fire rate, thus destroying all benefit of State insurance.—l am, etc., CHAS. SIMMONDS; Wellington, Juno 23. THE LICENSED VICTUALLERS' ASSOCIATION. Sir, —In your leading articlo this morning you use the following words: '.'Of theso tho Licensed Victuallers' Association and tho Liberal and Labour Leaguo were frankly Government supporters." I do not ' know to what particular Licensed A T ictuallers' Association you refer, but .as tho oxccutivo officer of tho Licensed Victuallers' Association! of New Zealand, and tho Wellington L.V.A., I must emphatically stato that no political pronouncement has. ever been made by cither of these associations, iior has the question of what party should bo supported ever been . discussed.. Indeed, tho lato Mr. Scddon complained that ho did not receivo that support from tho trado ho thought ho had a right to expect. I think you will concede on reflection that, the trado has a fairly. hard-enough row to hoe in fighting local_ option without concerning itself with tho political aspect.—l. am, etc.,

HERBERT J. WILLIAMS, Sec. L.V.A., N.Z., and'W.L.y.A'. Wellington, Juno 25. THE MOUNT COOK/SCHOOL. Sir,—l must reply to private lettors published in to-day's Dominion by Mr. A. M. ; Wilsoh,_ making charges against mo personally. Who tho gontleman was that gavo you tho information I know not, but his statomont that "tho manifesto published yesterday was issued without the consent of, and in express defiauco of, tho wishes of thoso whose names are mentioned in it" is .contrary to fact, as I had tho express authority to so have them printed, and they were also subsequently approved of by tho "ticket" with _ tho exception of Mr. Wilson, and when he disaproved, I at onco stopped them from boing issued for distribution (except to ourselves), nor were they subsequently. I was chairman at tho private meeting roferred to, and,' among other matters that were considered, was a typo-written statement of tho past and present positions. It was read by tho acting-secretary, and it contained tho ,whole of tho matter in tho "manifesto" roferred to, and no excoption was taken to it by thoso present. On tho contrary, several spoke approvingly, including Mr. AVilson himself, as to its suitability during tho canvassing for votes i with tickote, and also inquired tho cost of copies. Mr. Wilson admits that I was authorised to get cards printed. On receiving sofno of tho printed tickets, I gavo a fow to members of our party, and they all approved of them, oxcopt Mr. Wilson, who disapproved of them for business reasons; ho also forbado mo' distributing them, with duo deference ,to his wish,, I at onco stopped them" from boing issued for distribution. It was quite unnecessary to. send mo either* of the letters that have boon published, as I kept' my promise, which was reiterated on Saturday night, and also on Sunday afternoon, when I assured Mr. Wilson that his wish had been carried out by erasing his name from tho "ticket," and substituting that of Mr. Burbidge, as authorised in making up tho "tickot" ; and. also roiterated -my former, promise, and that they, would be withheld till Monday.'s meeting. Tho meeting was held on Monday night, when. tho wholo;-matter; was . reopened and discussed, resulting in tho same names being olected on tho "ticket,", with the. exception of Mr. Wilson's,..for which that of Mr ; • B.urbidgo .wasi substituted. . Tho "manifesto"- was. also carriod by the votes of tho meeting, - except- as to-deleting the last portion of the last clause.'. But as Mr. Wilson was still threatening publication, for tho sako of harmony, a motion, was :carried. to; rescind, . abovo resolution,., and it . ..was resolved to liavo the tickets printed with. only-, the names of candidates and tho boundaries of the school district printed thereon. Respecting the cards, Mr. Wilson's statement is not correct, no committee was appointed, but it was arrangod that the cards should bo collected and given to Mr. Cliisholm, yesterday, which was duly done, and all • tho cards printed wero. accounted for. At tho meoting abovo referred to, Mr. Wilson promised that if tho cards wero collected as abovo ho would not publish his alleged grievance or disclaimer,—l am, etc., ■ n • T.. S. LAMBERT. June 24. . [Wo have slightly abbreviated our correspondent s letter, for reasons of space.]