PUBLIC MEETINGS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 264, 17 May 1867, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETINGS.

(TO THE EDITOR 07 THE DCSSTAK TIMES.) Sin,—l hope you will find room in your columns for some remarks concerning the late meeting held at the Royal Mail Hotel, Alexandra, also upon the conduct of the Chairman, Mr Stewart. I wish to ask of every lover of fairplay that was there, if he did not forget himself in not giving Mr Jones and myself a fair hearing. In reference to myself, I "got up on three different occasions to reply—l mi "lit say, to the-violent attack made upon me°by Mr Shepherd, who, nevertheless, I do not blame; as I believe it is common amongst politicians to smother or shut up a real or supposed adversary. But I decidedly blame the chairman frr not giving me the opportunity to speak, when he saw that I wished to do so. However, much he

might like to side with Mr Shopherd as an ordinary person attending the meeting ; but as cha'rnan, it was hi dvt' to see tha every one had a fair hearing, which duty it is possible, he did or did not'know. Take for example myself, I got up to make a few remarks for the purpose of ventilating the cubjeet before the meeting; it is possible I went a round about way to do so —is that to be wondered at for a new-chum sneaker; do yon expect an individual to speak as glibly as a vete-an—is thre not a beginning to all things. If all meetings would not give beginners encouragement, by according them a patient hearing whether they differed with them or not—how can they expect matters to be discussed or broucrht before the public in future. Its quite possible there was many a man in the body of the meeting who was capable of discussing Provincialism with Mr Shepherd (without being disgraced either) if in a private room, yet they could not do so at a public meeting ; for why, because they were possibly afraid they might be confused at first, and before they recovered themselves, some one of the meeting would very likely turn what they said into ridicule by a little joking. Fearing that you, Mr Editor, will complain of the length of this letter, I conclude with the wish that your leading articles will be like the last few, viz : discuss calmly, temperately, and impartially, the leading topics of the day, irrespective of parties. Yours, &c, J. R. KEMP. Coal Creek, 7th May, 1867.