THAT MEETING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1240, 23 September 1911, Page 14

THAT MEETING.

Sir;—t-Tlio capacity of some people and their ability for side-stepping the true facts of unfortunate incidents is amply demonstrated by tho contents of "Socialist F. Freeman's" letter in your issue of Mpnday morning. Being present at the lecture in question, and quite closo to Mr. Freeman, I am ablo to say that ho is quite correct in saying that a lot of those present were' disgustcd—ves, disgusted atk tho. persistent and 'undignified manner in which Mr. Freeman kept shoutiijg after tho chairman had told him' that'his 'question, would not be answered; • Then" Professor Mills took the only- means to prevent his meeting being run by Mr- Freeman. "Hither make that mala sit down ov make, him leave tho liall,"'were tho correct words used by the lecturer.- Even theniMr. Freeman's most melodious voice was heard saying, "I will not obey Mr. Mills, I: will obey the Chair. •I always obey tho Chair!" Mark ye, after being informed in tho first placo "by tho Chair," that. his question was "tco 'late," and afterwards apiin being asked to "Sit down an(l be quiet." Oh, Mr. Freeman, you should talk of 6hort memory. And what intellectual sarcasm- to Mr. M'Larcn. Just _ about- on a par, comparatively speaking, with the selfish schoolboy who, becauso, another boy's copybook is.better written than his own, empties tho inkpot over the book superior to .his own, thinking it will'improve his own jioor writing. Internal strife, contemptible misrepresentations have always been the load, which holds the worker down. Want p'f unity, caused by the elevation to office of loud-voiced ranters, who make so .much noise, and disgust tho public with their rash, unbridled tongues. Working men, put in office men who navo a little tact, and, at least, . a sliglit acquaintance with good manners; men who will.listen, to both sides of every question; men who will illustrate the justico of demands made before crying about "wantof consideration." ■■

I regret I do not possess the gift of humour so innocently, displayed by Mr. Freeman in announcing his "cornering" of Professor Mills in "the world of ideas." For myself, I haven't read any of Mr. Freeman's writings—probably they are world-wide, with the exception of New Zealand. Mr. M'Laren must feel awfully nervous on reading the challenge re "Qualifications a chairman should have, etc. ' What a laugh tho public shall miss if tho challenge is not accepted—what a loss to public men of some of "Mr. Freeman's ideas/' If Mr. Freeman's scm.se of sight is as bad as his memory, ■ I think there is a great danger of liinr being run down by a tram. Thanking you for your valuable space,—l am, etc., ANOTHER FREE-MAN.