ANTI-AMALGAMATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 428, 29 May 1902, Page 1

ANTI-AMALGAMATION.

(To the Editor of the Times.)

Sir,—l was very much surprised at seeing in your issue to-day the reply from the Acting-Premier in regard to amalgamation. After many days, nay months, a reply has been vouchsafed, though not to the body that by courtesy should have had it in the first place. And such a reply it is ! The point of Sir Joseph Ward’s letter is that ‘as far as can be ascertained there appears to be a very small majority lor the amalgamation over the petitioners against it."' As Mr Lysnar and myself made affidavits in regard ,o Haiti, where there was practically a three-fourths majority in the affirnative, and this petition was forwarded by us to the Governor, I am astounded .at such a statement as thatmade by the Acting-Premier. It seems to me that that gentleman, whom I would not charge with untruthfulness, has not looked into the matter personally, and has, unknown to himself, been wilfully misled by someone behind the scenes. So far no explanation lias been given of the unaccountable delay, and of why the local bodies have been treated so contemptuously in the matter. Still, this very delay, when referred to Sir Joseph Ward's personal attention, should have caused him to look into the matter, especially before replying. His reply, indeed, only intensifies the suspicion that some interested person has been busy pulling the strings. Had Sir Joseph Ward looked at the petition for amalgamation, he would have seen thereon the names of two of the staunchest Liberals in the colony— Messrs T. J. Dickson and G. Mattbewson, which should have convinced the Acting-Premier of the earnestness of the petitioners. Further, I would point out that Mr Lysnar and myself topk the trouble to attest every signature, and to make an affidavit as to its genuineness. We would both be deservedly liable to imprisonment if anv bogus signatures had been allowed to'pass. As Mr Lysnar and myself have been ever ready to meet the opponents in the press or on the platform, we now ask that a Commission be set' up so that the whole matter can be authoritatively gone into. Our etit-ion' was sufficient in number and value to compel the Government, if they act according to the law, to either grant the prayer of the petition or set up a Commission to adjudicate upon t. Has Mr Carroll’s interest (through his family) in Titirangi had to do with the shameful way in which we have been treated ? I have always worked in support of that gentleman s candidature, and until this contemptible treatment of petitioners occurred, I have always been firm in my belief in that gentleman. However, until some satisfactory explanation is forthcoming, I must now take a different view.—l axil, etc., " FRANK HARRIS., May 2S,