LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1122, 9 May 1911, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

HOME RULE FOR THE NORTH ISLAND. Sir,—Will "Xon-iVtionKt" kindly explain Ilia kind of separation that he says "is supposed" lo make Hie I.sic of Wight contented and prosperous!" To bring the question of Homo Jiule nearer home: If Ihe Isle of Wight enjoys .separation, why should not the Xorlh Island do so, or Yorkshire!" I believe the North Island docs hot suffer from over-representation in the New Zealand Parliament as Irehud does in the House of Commons. You, sir, could make out a strong ease for separation from the South Island on railway matters alone. Then, sir. there is the Native land fiuestion, but to be brief I suggest that delegates be chosen to proceed to Ireland to beg money for a Homo Rule for (ho North Island campaign. Thanking you.—l am, etc., NORTH ISLAND.

THIRTEEN QUOTATIONS. Sir,—Last Saturday week it. was "Unionist" who was attempting to convince the readers of The Dominion, and the Irish envoys as well, that Home Rule means separation; last Saturday "Union Jack" was attempting the same difficult feat. Their methods of attack are alike. They both .quote fhe past speeches of Irish Nationalists, to prove.this separation the-' ory. "Unionist" reckons that three such quotations are enough to settle the case. "Union Jack" reckons that three are not enough, so he out-quotes "Unionist," and gives no fewer than thirteen isolated extracts from speeches and newspapers to prove that Ireland does want absolute separation. They both clamour for special attention from one, or more if required, of the Irish envoys. Neither of them get this special attention, and neither of them prove that Home Rule is, in effect, absolute separation.. Why? This thirteen-quotation method is as old as it is futile. It was used in the days of Gladstone, and after the lapse of a quarter Df a century it was used by Mr. Malcolm in the Hoiisc of Commons a few months ago..- In the achievement of its object; this method failed splendidly on both occasions. Still, I trust that .the people of Great Britain will not allow themselves to bo turned aside by "Union Jack's" letter of last Saturday. There is a. real danger. I find that "Union Jack" will not (because of his thirteen quotations) allow Ireland to have Home Rule. I wonder now, if "Union Jack" was at hand a few years ago with quotations appropriate to prove the unfitness of extending Home Rule to. South Africa. I wonder if ho ever quoted (as he might have) from tho speeches of Generals Botha and De Wet to show that Home Rule for South Africa meant separation from the Empire. Does "Union Jack" know that tho people of Canada once talked about becoming a "nation free and indeDoes he know that they actually fought for that freedom and Independence? Does it mean separation because Ireland (now without fighting) has the audacity to demand that freedom and independence which Canada gained (with fighting)? . .

The Irish nation mnst be reconciled. Yes, I said the Irish nation, for Ireland has a. distinct nationality. Mr. Asquith is anxious that Ireland should be reconciled. On February 15 last, he said ho would do this "by creating in Ireland an Irish Parliament and an Irish Executive responsible to that Parliament to deal with purely Irish affairs." Since Home Eulo was one of the two great issues of the last elections, Mr. Asquith, with a good majority, has ample power and authority to give effect to the wishes of the people. C. S. Parnell wanted an Irish Parliament to deal with "purely Irish affairs," without interference. That is tho sort of Parliament .1. E. Redmond asked for. and 1 believe (barring accidents and those thirteen quotations) Ireland will get that sort of a Parliament. "Union Jack" omitted from his letter one question which, sir, with your permission, I shall give. It is a quotation from tho Irish leader's most recent Home Eulo speech. In it he speaks for Ireland. Ho says: "We are at the beginning of a new reign. The first act of the new Sovereign was to send a distinguished member of his House to open a free Parliament in South Africa. That ceremony was only the culminating point in the pacification of South Africa, which. I believe, for all time will stand on the page of history as the greatest glory of the reign of Edward VII. Is it too much for us to hope that tho present reign, which, wo hope, may bo a long and glorious one, may be made still more glorious by a still greater event—the opening bv 'the Sovereign in person of- the Parliament of a friendly and reconciled Irish nation?" That is Ireland's hope; that is the goal. —I am, etc., NON-FACTICmST.

SEEN AT PUMMERTON.

Sir,—Whilst paying a short visit to Plimmerton yesterday, I could not help noticing the laxity of tho local authorities. Close to the station a new road is being formed, and at intervals I counted eight loads of metal, left just as they had been tipped out of the cart, amongst them were several largo boulder.-, sufficient to cause a severe accident. I should say this charming seaside resort must bo a grazier's paradise, as I saw several hordes, mares, and foal, ' one cow, and a bull, roaming at their sweet will along the new-ly-formed roads and into people's property, as though such a thing as a country ranger was unknown in the district. In no suburb which. I have visited throughout New Zealand have I seen such laxity. Perhaps, when a serious accident occurs, through the bull running amok, or someone giving the metal heaps an affectionate embrace, the authorities will wake up.-I am, etc., A VISITOE.

THE ARK OF THE COVENANT.

Sir,—Whilst travelling yesterday I read with considerable interest the cable message regarding Solomon's Sceptre and Crown and your extract about the "Pool, the Ark, and-the Jlosque" in which the disposition of tho Ark of the Covenant is discussed; and that there was "no further mention of the Ark in the historical books of tho Bible." It may be of general interest to know that reference is made to the hiding of Iho Ark by the prophet Jeremiah in -the Apocrypha 11, Jlaccabees 2, 4, 25 sc(|.: "It was alse contained in the samo writing (see first verse) that tho prophet (Jeremy) being warned of God, commanded tho tabernacle and the Ark to go with him, as he went forth into the mountain where Jfoses climbed up, and saw the heritage of God. And when Jeremy came thither ho found a hollow cave, wherein he laid the tabernacle, and the Ark, and the altar of incense, and so stopped tho door. And some that followed him came to mark the way, but they could not find it, which, when Jeremy perceived, he'blamed them, saying: 'As for that place, it shall be unknown until the time that.God gathered his peoplo again together, and receive them unto mercy. Then shall the Lord show them these things and the glory of the Lord shall appear.'. ..."

I have not access to Hastings's Bible dictionary, but it would bo interesting to know if any reference is made in it to tho above under the heading of the "Ark of the Covenant."—l am, etc., THOJIAS A. HAMILTON. Fendalton, Canterbury. Turakina, May G, 1911.