GREY VALLEY ELECTION.

Grey River Argus, Volume XVI, Issue 2278, 26 November 1875, Page 2

GREY VALLEY ELECTION.

[to the jbditoe.] Sir— Tn a leading article appearing in your issue of yesterday, referring to the education question, you state " If the report published in the local papers is correct, the only remarks made by Mr Newton on the subject of education were elicited by questions from Father Cummins." On reference to the Inangahua Herald you will find this statement is not correct, as, although I advisedly did not enlarge upon the question, being desirous as far as possible to avoid a subject which, when touched upon almost invariably gives rise to strong party feeling, I did , allude to it, and expressed broadly my views. You further state " The candidate was first asked whether he was in favor of a secular system of education." Here also you are in error. The question put was not a leading one. I was asked what system of education I was in favor of, and replied that I had no hesitation in saying I was in favor of the secular system. As to your suggestion that " possibly there may have been a private interview between the parties, and a more thorough ivideratandintj arrived at between them be f >re the priest puffed the candidate.' I desire to give it an emphatic denial. I have at no time had the pleasure of an interview with Father Cummins, and was as much at a loss to comprehend the object of his second question as you Sir appear to he your.-elf. I must apologise for trespassing so far upon your space, but the whole tenor of your article being to insinuate that there was a private understanding between a gentleman questioning me at a public meeting and myself, I have a right to claim space to deny a suggestion so injurious to my reputation.. I am, &c, HEg Eft Newton.