REV. LYALL'S MEETING.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 525, 23 September 1902, Page 3

REV. LYALL'S MEETING.

(Advt.) (To the Editor of the Times.) Sir,—Thoughts awakened b.y a report of the Kov. Lyah’s meetings on Sunday last. What is Truth 7 This question is not new, but it is very pertinent even if old. The Rev. Lyull arid other professional religionists are to-duy making much ado over this matter, and apparently are seeking to scuro men, women, and children into fits about imaginary ills to come. Ti c Bible is either absolute truth from cover to cover, or oiso it in simply a production evolved from the mind of man—lienee liable to error. I ask the Rev. Lyull or any other of his ilk to produce evidence that the story in Genesis, The Flood (of Noah) is absolutely true fas recorded in tin; Bible;, even though Jemib Christ and the Apostle Peter endorsed it. And I would remark if this story can bo proved mythical, what he'-omes of the authority of the Hebrew Scriptures to hold tinminds of men in bondage in the 20tli Century 7—l urn, etc., ■!. li. Siulkv.

Farmers’ Union

At the meeting on Saturday discussion took place on the questions formulated by the New Zealand Union to he put to Parliamentary candidates. Mr Hood did nut think the Union could ask a candidate to pledge himself to the Union when lie represented all classes of the community. The Secretary said this course was pursued by Trade" Unions. Mr W. H. L.ysnar did not think the Union would obtain any benefit by tying a candidate down. It would bo equal to making him a “dumb dog.” Mr (J. J. Parker did not agree with Mr Lysnar. They knew that soino of the candidates had been pledged up to the hiit at past elections. Mr Bilham held that while their representative should havo a free hand on national questions, on anything touching farmers’ interests they should tie the candidate down.

Mr Iledpath said the questions did not pledge tho candidate, hut merely asked ilia opinions. lie moved that tho list ho for warded to tho branch Unions. They did not want to put a man into tho Houso to loarn his viows. Mr Somerville seconded Mr Redpath’s motion. Mr W. D. Lysnar said farmers might put in a man who would say “ Yes, yes,” to any question, while an honest man who refused to subscribe would bo dofoated.

Tbe Secretary considi red they had no option but to forward the list to the candidates, and then send the replies to the branch Unions. Mr W. 1). Lysnarsaid the Union should steer clear of politics until they were

badly treated by representatives. Mr Hood moved an amendment, which Mr \V. H. Lysnar seconded, that the Colonial Executive be asked if the Provincial Executive were obliged to send the list to candidates. After discussion, tho amendment- was carried by bix to three. Considerable, discussion took place as to the Parliamentary picnij, and tho enquiry asked for by the Ormond branch. The secretary said he had been asked by country farmers to move in tbo matter, as considerable dissatisfaction existed. Although there was mismanagement, ho did not think the Gisborne Union deserved con sure. Mr Clayton said Mr Hood had been kind enough to offer to entertain the visit ors at afternoon tea on the return journey on behalf of the Ormond Union, but for some reason tho party did not stop tbore. The Ormond and Karaka delegates were not introduced to the Parliamentary representatives, and at luncheon the officials of these branches were not able to sit down wit h their guests. The secretary said he was supported by the Pututahi branch as well as Ormond and Karaka, in protesting. If the Parliamentary party had not been told that they were the guosls of the Union they would not have known anything about it. There was no mention of tho Union on tho toast list. Mr Lysnar, as president of the Gisborne Union, had arrogated to himself the functions of president of the Provisional Executive, and ignored members of the country branches. Mr Hood said the party were to bo taken to Ormond, and there to bo handed over to the Ormond Union. Ho regretted thero bad been any friction, beeauso when there was friction trouble ensued. It was past and he did not boar any ill-feeling on the matter.

Mr W. D. Lysnar said it was the duty of each branch after they had been warned through tho telephone by tbo secretary of the Gisborne Union to havo come forward and helped to entertain the party. Not one came forward, and tho arrangements were carried out to tho best of tho Gisborne Union’s ability.

Mr Clayton : Yes ; tbo Gisborne branch. We acknowledge that, but not you. Mr W. D. Lysnar said, regarding afternoon tea at Mr Hood’s, nothing definite was known as to whether Mr Hood would entertain the party. The delegates should have spoken if they wanted an introduction to the Parliamentary party. He understood he was there to fill Mr Mac farlane’s place. Mr Clayton : As chairman of the Gisborne branch, not as chairman of the Executive. Mr Lysnar : The intention was to enteitain the Parliamentary party, and they were entertained without a hitch from start to finish. You who came up at the last and did not attend our meetings came in and spoiled the show. It is petty jealousy, and if you are going to raise such squabbles this Union is doomed. What I complain about is that you stood off, and then you couio up and complain. Mr H. N. Lysnar had a resolution from the Waimuta branch, condemning the conduct of tbo party by the Gisborne branch as a whole. He pointed out that Mr Clayton’s resolution attacked only one individual.

Messrs W. F. Somerville (Tolago Bay) and Rodpath (Motu) thought too much time was being taken up in discuseing such a question. Mr Clayton, in reply to Mr W. IX Lysnar, stated Mr W. A. Hood was really the chairman of tho Executivo at the time of tho Parliamentary visit. Mr Macfarlane had been given leave of absonoe, and a chairman for the time being was oleeted at each meeting. Mr Hood, having been chairman at the meeting previous to the Parliamentary visit, held office until the next meeting, in accordance with }ho usual procedure. Mr W. D. Lysnar said he liad been under a misapprehension. He understood that ho had been elected President of the Gisborne branch in the absence of Mr Macfarlane, and was also Chairman of the Executive. Messrs Clayton and H. N. L.ysnar consented to withdraw their resolutions. Mr W. D. Lysnar said if any apology was expected from him in regard to tho conducting of the Parliamentary party,

none would be given, nor would be withdraw anything. He strongly condemned tho action of members of the Executivo. He then left the l'oom. Messrs Jas. Macfarlanc, Hood, and Hutchinson were deputed to interview the auctioneers with regard to selling in one yard. Mr W. F. Somerville (Tolago Bay) said the member for the district had promised them that ho would move in Tolago matters, but nothing had been dono. When Tolago Bay spoko with only a few votes behind its back it could not expect much done for it, but with the weight of the Provincial Executive the requirements would have more attention. He suggested that the Executive put themseives in communication with tho Minister of Lands in regard to obtaining land for close settlement at Tolago Bay. There was the land belonging to Mr Andrew Beeves, which comprised 1400 acres, and

was named at a ffguro of JGO 5s per acre. Mr Reeves had been approached by Mr Carroll some time ago. The land was fiat, including some low hills. It was not generally recognised in Tolago Bay that the Government would purchase the land at TO ss. If pressure were brought to bear on the Government, they would probably outer into negotiations, and tho result would very likely be closo settlement. Another burning question at Tolago Bay was the necessity for the sitting of the Native Laud Court. He proposed that the Native Minister be written to and requested to see that a sitting of the Native Land Court was held at Tolago Bay as soon as practicable. He stated there was a very large number of cases awaiting adjustment by the Court, and a sitting of the Appellate Court was also required. Resolutions submitted by Mr Somerville were unanimously adopted.