SIR JOHN FINDLAY AT PARNELL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1259, 16 October 1911, Page 3

SIR JOHN FINDLAY AT PARNELL.

Pir, —Appreciating the difficulty you have in getting impartial information about the Attorney-General's opening meeting oil Monday night at I'arncll, and your desire to arrive at the truth, 1 would offer the facts below for your kind acceptances, as they appeared to me on that occasion. I went in a journalistic capacity an hour early on purpose to ensure a good position which faced the audience. The hall holds about 400 pronto and was crowded within eight minute's of the opening, largely by a number of strangers to the electorate, and there were about as many left outside as got admission, who were mainly the supporters of Sir John Fiudlay, and these i>egged him to speak outside as he was entering. There were a number of turbulent, good-huuionred youths inside at the back, and it was publicly stated, and unchallenged, that these camo from an adjoining electorate. Another candidate was also at the back, and tho man associated with the recent notorious pamphlet against Sir Joseph Ward, and it was this person who wished, through a non-clector, to move an amendment, which the chairman promptly declined to allow, and this without any consultation with Sir John Findlay or anyone else. Doubtless the man's "general attitude during tho meeting caused this decision. The chairman, whom you mention as "a prominent Government supporter," is Jlr. Briggs, Mayor of I'rtrnell, who is not known as a Government supporter at all. lie was a candidate against Sir John Fiudlay until lately, and merely todlc the chair in his official capacity, as he did for Mr. Moss, the> Opposition candidate, a few nights before. As regards the minor matter of "cheers," the.-e wore distinct enough. There were fir.st throe for the candidate and three lor his lady. I happened today to notice the references in yours of AVednesday, and hence 1 ask you to kindly publish the above for what it is worth.—l am, etc., T. WAKE, "Waitemata Post," Devon port.