An Explanation

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 139, 29 June 1937, Page 7

An Explanation

E. .T.

MflNAB.

Sir, — In view of the fact that I was a witness in the Kay v. Jennings libel case on June 24 I wish to make my position elear regarding tw;o raitfte which I noticed in your report of the case, and that iriay hiavo a misleading effect upon many readers. The first was a question asked by defending •counsel w;Hether plaintiff was a Communist. The reply was in the affirmative; then the Magistrate, in his sum-ming-up, refers to witnesses as friends of Mr. Kay. Now, Sir, this may leave an impression upon readers that all witnesses for the plaintiff were members of that political body, but this is not so. As for myself, I never had been a member oi' any political party until jjust recently ■ and it is Certainly not the Communist parfy but as an official of the union reprosenting a membership of possibly every political sliade I have a keen dosxre to see unity and cooperation among our ranks and so build up an organisatiou that can give service and get justi :e for those members we have the privilege to represent. This will only be achieved by keeping political bias outside of union affairs, as in the past it has been our setback. Since Mr. Kay has beeome general secretary to the Hawke's Bay General Labourers' Union, he has so f ar proved very efficient, energetic and reliable and is no doubt bringing our affairs baek to a standard of security, and if he retains his present- course I am sure , that his sincerity will bring all of tho members to a feUqwship worth. while. To this -end we may be able. to look over the past days when our office was an inquiry lounge with a meaning— "Come all ye who may enter and the union may take care of itself.'' Sir, that is what we have paid for in the past, and we rejoice in the hopes and prospects of a better future. Hence my reason for supporting Mr, Kay in union affairs, but not politics. ^ Thanking you, Mr. Editor, for allowing me this opportunity.— Yours, ete.,

Hastings, June 28, 1937. -