Amalgamation Committee.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 431, 2 June 1902, Page 3

Amalgamation Committee.

(To the Editor of the Times.) Sir, — I see by your report that tho com mitteo that calls itself tho Amalgamation Committee are greatly concerned at tho turn things have taken. Now, sir, in the first instance, this committee was ap pointed by itself, and consists of members of the Road Boards interested. The ratepayers never appointed them for the purpose, neither were they appointed at a publio meeting. They took upon them selves to appoint themselves: hence the cause of them getting no reply—they had no authorised local standing.. The committee then drag politics into a subject that should have no political side one way or the other. Mr Matthewson proclaims himself tho Father of Liberalism in the Bay. He was acting very liberal when ho joined Captain Tucker to form the Titirangi Road Board, in order to evade paying the Haiti rates; this is liberalism with a vengeance. He is now going to change sides. His coat at all times resembled Joseph’s a little, for there was always more than one color in it. I may inform Mr Matthewson that liberalism was taught, argued, and practised in Poverty Bay long before he saw, or possibly knew where Young Nick’s Head is. *<3-for Mr Harris, who is becoming very oratolcal since ho joined the Amalgamation Con^iß® 6 ’ he states that he is about to chaig o sides and vote “ agin ” the Goveriment. I can only say that if Ideas/Harris and Matthewson are lost to tb» cause the Government and country are sure to go to ruin. I am rather pissed that Mr Harding does not claim side ; still he states he will probe it tothe bottom. Mr Harding should suc(iedjbe is always an ardent follower of whojver is in power. Then comes Mr Lysnar, a lawyer, who if he knows his profession is acting differently, for he has on several occasions asserted that the Government must appoint a commission, when the Act plainly says “ may,” not “ must.” Again, one-fourth of the ratepayers in the area to be included can apply for amalgamation, whereas all those affected may object. Mr Lysnar forgets to explain these points of law, so I would advise the Committee to make themselves more acquainted with the Act, so as to be able to argue more legally.—l am, etc., . Civis.