MR TREGEAR AND SOCIALISM.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12506, 19 May 1906, Page 12

MR TREGEAR AND SOCIALISM.

TO TM XDITOB O7 '.'THE VBXSS."

Department of Labour, Wellington, May 17th, 1906

Sir, —In your issue of the 16th May appears a. leader on tho subject of a letter I wroto to Mr Horace Benson, of tho United State, in July, 190-3.

I liave to reply tliat tho letter (excluding typographical errore) is mine, but that it was private, and written as acknowledgment of a book on Socialism It was not written officially, as the concluding phrase, "Yours always," would show; nor was it signed by mc as Secretary for Labour, as the copy (luckily preserved) proves. I liked Mr Benson's book very much, and told him co, but his having allowed publication of my letter was indiscreet. I have yet to learn tliat being «i public servant prevents one writing letters to friends, and that this was a private letter, its wording and internal evidenco would prove to any fair-minded man.—Yours iaithfulJy, EDW. TREGEAR. TO THE EDITOn Of "THK MIESS." Sir, —Before Mr Tregoar is ordered out iar immediate execution, and hit* opinions to be burnt by the common hangman, as you evidently desire, may 1 suggest tour considerations wli.cn might- induce you to temper tho adnuiii>tiMition of Jud_o Lynch with a litt-Io moderation. First.—Doom not tho ftylo and tenor of the letter surest thai it wa_ merely a private communication, and tli.tt both its publication in the first insranco and tho use now being made of it to condemn the writer, aro of tho nature of a breach of that confidence which is usually supposed to attach to private correspondence 'i