ME H. H. D. WILY'S VIEWS

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 471, 6 May 1919, Page 2

ME H. H. D. WILY'S VIEWS

(To ths Editor)

Sib,—Two letters have lately appeared in your widely read paper in which my name appears, I would like a little space to reply to the second, Mr Oldfield's. I am not going to liken myself to St Paul; if other people do not know my failings I know them myself ; while in literary ability, well, read the epistle to tne Corinthians (chapter 13), and compare the style. Not being a mind-reader, I do not know what was in Mr Sim's mind re Mr Piggot, but Mr Sim had said nothing to me about putting up a candidate against him. Had we wished to do so, more than eight farmers would have been present at the annual meeting. What I did object to was Mr Oldfield's claiming that as Mr Piggot had been one of the Executive to let the Union in for a hundred or so deficit he ought to be elected again. Should the overdraft be five hundred next year, it would be rank treason, I presume, to suggest a change. That I did not resign till Mr Piggot was nominated is not correct. I teok my share in the annual meeting till the stage " election of officers" was reached, and then made it quite clear that, not being a member for the incoming year, it was not fair to vote, and did not speak again except to decline a position. Mr Sim and I have certaioly done most of the talking during the past year, but someone has to talk to liven up the meetings, so we sacrificed ourselves. It is heartrending to find it has not been appreciated. I have talked and written a fair amount since Mr W. F. Massey first stood for Franklin, and if I knew my tongue and pen had helped (even in the humblest way) to make him Member and Prime Minister, I would indeed be proud. Mr Oldfield seems to think that he is held, by some, not to be entitled to his opinions. I would be the last to question his right, remembering the storm that raged round myself here when our present chitf was in Opposition. I have nothing against the Labour Party. If they got rid ot some of their leaders, I would like to see them in office for a spell. It may be bigotry, or it may be uncharitableness, but I will not belong to an organisation whose responsible officials are willing to meet certain people. Frieads of mine have got into trouble, and when they came out I have been willing to lend them a helping hand. But for two classes of offences I have no forgiveness (perhaps St Paul would have had.) I will not forgive - (a) men guilty of offences against women and children; (b) mea who went to gacl rather than help the Empire while our bays were dying. In conclusion, I believe that had I been opposed to Mr Massey, and hj» was away on my bu iness, and doing it w.'ll, I would not have struck at him in his absence. Anyhow, St. Paul would not have so acted. Yours, etc , H. H D. WILY. Bucklan<l, M»y 3. 19 '.'