Correspondence.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 6, 24 July 1914, Page 3

Correspondence.

WHILE it is our endeavour to give correspondents every facility for the free expression of their opinion, it should he borne in mind that the views expressed do not, necessarily, reflect the opinions of the Editor. To the Editor. SIR, —Whilst sincerely thanking you for the space allowed me to reply to Mr Parkes’ letter, I wish to say, in reference to the omitted sentences, that anything I stated as facts I still believe it to be such ; whilst, what i gave as statements of opinion, were possible in deduction, and moderrate in tone, having regard to the, letter they were intent ed to apply to. Mr Parkes has again raised questions that would require too much of your space to reply to in detail, so before replying, I would suggest that one or more members of both societies be selected to debate the whole position before the members of such societies, or the general public, if desired. Personally, I would be prepared to accept the wishes of a representative meeting after they had had both sides of the question placed before them. Though your correspondent strongly objects to me bringing in other peoples names, he mentions Mr Fitness, who was not a member of either society, and whose connection with the scheme could only be from a purely business standpoint; his connection with MiFitness is liable to construction as a business one also, unless the Union had instructed him to

;- take these steps,of which I hav’nt r any knowledge. I still mainV tain that the two Societies were J practically composed of some e personnel, as the Union at that time comprised the whole of the 7 employees, out-side of officials, e who would not number more - than about five to eight per cent, i Tlie fact that they were ree gistered under different Society Acts, is I consider. of little or no importance. I don’t recall the remark mentioned about the * heavens falling, or the chairman who made it; but whilst admitting that a chairman, if properly elected, should have the confidence of the majority, and the - respect of all the Society lie pref sides over, he should never be s considered infalable, nor should 1 lie be regarded as the sum total - of *he Society, On the other i hand, we may say good bye to , the constitutional government, if - a small minority, through petty 1 pique, or lesser motives, bide for 1 years, and then attempt to I wreck a scheme that was carried by an admitted overwhelming . majority. The reason for intro- ■ ducing Mr Marshall’s name was because I knew that he and Mr Parkes had several conversations together, about the time the doctor’s residence was being discussed, and I. was given the impression that it had been mentioned. However, I invite Mr Parkes to forward the whole of this correspondence to Mr Marshall, asking for his comments for publication. If, as your correspondent still infers, something crooked has gone on with the accident fund, I hope they will sift the matter ] right to the bottom ; but if they j should find that they have been unjustly suspicious, it will be up to them to apologise as publicly as they have made these charges. Your correspondent is very vague in his statement about the £2O each, that was to be divided up, but if : he chooses to be simple enough to believe any boggy I story that is carried to 1 him, that is not our fault. He asks why not rectify some of the I mistakes that have been made ? ■ We aref prepared to rectify as I much as possible, but so long as i his society neglects to do their t share on the management com- c mittee, he has no right to criti- 1 cise our conduct. We are not I aware of having thrown any mitt i down, as is stated, but to prove who has done so, I challenge t him to publish the whole of the c legal correspondence that has 0 passed between their legal ad- ‘ viser, and our trustees. Our t offers in that correspondence 0 are still open for acceptance. t Despite the efforts of Mr Parkes K or myself, the final decision rests d with the majority of the Huntly t Miners ; and if they are true to o

mmoj p , emu ii uiu.y true cu themselves, the Hall need not be a monument to this man’s error, or another man’s folly, but will stand as a landmark to show what the Miners achieved against as great a combination of disadvantages it were possible to be pitted against. Thanking you in anticipation, I am, Yours etc., JOS. MELLING, President Waikato Miners Union.