Coroner Walnutt Writes

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 91, 13 December 1912, Page 12

Coroner Walnutt Writes

REVIEWS COMPLAINTS MADE

AGAINST HIM.

DENIES ALLEGATIONS.

Sir, —In view of tho gros9 and continued misrepresentation appearing recently in your paper in regard to myself, I should bo glad if you would give the same publicity to the following, aa it is high time that truth in these matters made an entry upon the scene. ■ 1 recognise the fact that these untruths have been made to you and not by you.

(1) I am not, as alleged, connected in any way with the "notorious local paper." Haven't been for the past three months (the mine re-opened eight weeks ago). The local paper has a reporter of its own, and if there has been any ''studied and malicious falsehoods concerning the miners manufactured for publication in the capitalist press generally," then it is quite obvious that I know nothing about it.

(2) Now in your issue of the 29th ult., Mr. P. J. O'Regan, who I understand is a solicitor, makes some grave allegations against myself, which may require retraction later on. In hia letter addressed to the Minister of Justice, dated November 15, Mr. O'Regan says: "I am informed that this gentleman (myself) is on the staff of the "Waihi Telegraph,' a paper which is violently opposed to the strikers, and I have the best reason to believe that Mr. Wallnutt , has written many of the highly-colored and inflammatory messages which have been telegraphed all over the country in connection with this strike." Now, considering the fact that I ha%'e riot been connected with the paper referred to for over three months, Mr. O'Regan will no doubt find some difficulty iv supporting this allegation. In a letteT dated November 13 (and placed directly under the letter just referred to), Mr. O'Regan entere a protest to the manager of the Press Association against "the gross disregard for impartiality on the part of the Waihi agent," and adds: "May I ask if the agent of your association at Waihi is to be permitted to send out with impunity a highly inflammatory message to the press of this country?" Now Sir, note the similarity in regard to the allegation made against mc. Mr. O'Regan, in his letter to the Minister of Justice, accuses mc of writing "many of the inflammatory messages which have been telegraphed all over the country." The intention and inference is, of course, that I am tho press agent referred to. It is tho press agent who telegraphs "all over the country." It is also apparent that some person has taken upon himself the role of dissembler in this matter. Now, Sir, I am not the press agent at Waihi, nor have I ever been, and I have never sent a Press Association message. I am the correspondent for only one paper in New Zealand.

(3) Mr. O'Regan still proceeds to make misrepresentation in regard to myself with a readiness which is surprising. In his letter dated November 15, he goes on to say "that gentleman (again myself) has presided at public meetings at which resolutions were passed antagonistic to the old union, and he has all along taken a strongly partisan attitude." The latter portion of the allegation is so contrary to fact that even fair-minded strikers will resent the injustice. As regiards the first part, I have presided at ONE meeting (that of Mr. Foster), when I was requested to do so as an independent chairman. I have been, frequently called upon as an independent adjudicator to act in regard to Catholic Club debates, disputes, competitions, etc., and it is a well-known fact that a lecturer's views are not necessarily asso-. ciated with those of his chairman, or vice versa. The allegation is v*ry childish and petty.

(4) In another part of your paper this surprising allegation is made: "Mr. Wallnutt has been a splenetic and bitter foe of the strikers, is a notoriously biassed hater of Industrial Unionism." Really, this eclipses . Mr. O'Regan's efforts completely. Fancy a ''splenetic and bitter foe" entering the witness-box and giving evidence on behalf of two strikers when accused in a criminal court 1 Fancy such a scoundrel agreeing to face the authorities as a J.P. in the matter of a complaint made by Mr. H, M. Kennedy (acting-president of the union) in regard to imprisoned strikers, when the chief magistrate of the town had refused to do sol What a bitter foel

You have appealed in your columns for fair play and justice. Are you prepared to give it to others? Ask tihe local strikers if I am getting it. These are only a few cases in point, and there are scores of Federationists here who would sincerely wish that 1 was the worst foe they had. I conclusion, I must apologise for taking up so much space, but much space has been taken up with mc lately.—l am, etc., W. M. WALLNUTT, J.P.

Waihi, December 1, 1912. [This communication is handled editorially.—Ed.]