WELLINGTON ELECTION AND GOOD TEMPLARY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9668, 5 March 1897, Page 3

WELLINGTON ELECTION AND GOOD TEMPLARY.

TO THE XDITOB OF THE PKBSS. • Sib,-On looking over a recent issue of your paper (Monday, 22nd) I came across a leader referring to the above. After reading it through several times, I must say that I think it a moat dastardly attempt to defame ■one of the noblest institutions in the land— to wit, the Good Templars. When I say " noblest," I mean that it is one of those organisations which has for its object the elevation of their fellow men. For that it was founded and for that it is carried on today. In it there is the one cardinal principle of equality —one man as good as another —which alone places it in a peerless position. To show its popularity I have only to instance the fact that in the first year of its foundation in England there were instituted some 550 Lodges, in the second year about 1550, and to-day it is on the forward, and not retrograde, movement. I make this sweeping assertion, and what I say I say conscientiously, that there is not another institution, with all due deference to the Salvation Army, that has done so much to save men from the degradation of drunkenness, and make of them respectable citizens as the Good Templars. Because that institution is hostile to Conservatism in any way, especially to the vested interest drink monopoly, it seems to mc that you take an interest (?) in it for the purpose of picking out its flaws. Now, sir, in all honesty, what institution is so perfect that no discrepancies can be found in it? I venture to say the Good Templars are more exempt than many other institutions. After all the real test has not come yet. As in all big societies there is a high tribunal—in this case the Grand Lodge, which is to meet in Wellington shortly. If that gathering endorses the offender's, conduct, and still allows her to be a member, then comes your turn for criticism—cot before the case is judged. I do not wish to dispute your statements, but I think the I Grand Lodge, with all the evidence before them, can better judge of the merits of the case than can the Press. After all "to enis human," and it is quite possible the Good Templars have some offenders in their ranks.

I can but express my contempt, Mr Editor, for a paper that tries to harm an institution nobly working for man's elevation, and not his detriment.

Your peroration is worthy of a second thought. After all how true is your conclusion that Mr Seddon is not the sincere friend of the prohibitionists. In conclusion, the Good Templars realise that if the drink was removed prosperity would follow. For that reason party politics are discarded in preference to this desired consummation.

Trusting you will insert this letter in full, and thanking you in anticipation,—Yours, c-C,

Good Templar. [In the article referred to there was not one word against the Good Templars as a body. We are utterly at a loss to understand how our correspondent could have got such a mistaken idea into his head.—Ed. Press.]