LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1206, 15 August 1911, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

♦ MR. MARTIN AND SIR JAMES CARROLL. Sir,—As a reporter at Mr. K. R. Martin's meeting, at Mmikau on July 8, I have been asked if I could corroborate that gentleman's denial of the statement that at that meeting he in any way referred to Sir James Carroll's banking account. 'l'lio following paragraph, clipped from my report, which appeared in the "Horowhenua. County Record" (published weekly) speaks for itself:— NATIVE LANDS. One of the most monstrous evils with which wo had to contend was tho fact that four million acres of rich fertile Native lands were lying useless and untaxed. They produced practically nothing but noxious weeds, which spread profusely and were a constant menace lo adjoining property-owners. If Parliament could bo made to devote a session even to this difficulty the existence of the Reform party was justified. But there was no Native land policy—nothing but a title for tho Government for their policy of tho last 20 years. (Laughter and applause.) But tli d Otaki "Mail" reported Mr. Martin thus:—"What had the Native Minister to show for his twenty years in office, unless something at the bank as a_ result of his_ honorarium?" I heard Sir James criticise the statement on Monday night last, and after the meeting I looked up my notes, my report, and the Otaki "Mail's" report. I found that, previous to inserting my report in the "Record," I had compared it with that of the "Mail's" representative, and queried in pencil the particular statement referred to. I felt sure then that Mr. Martin referred only to the title, and did not mention anything about Sir James's banking account. You will note that the Acting-Premier, however, put the worst possible construction upon the "Mail's" version, and endeavoured to "make a mountain out' of a molehill." I know several persons who attended Mr. Martin's meeting, and who will bear out my statement, but I cannot find a seconder for the statement published by tho Otaki "Mail."—l dm, etc.,

J. KNIGHT. Proprietor "Horowhenua County Record." THEATRE FIRE RISKS. Sir,—ln answer to "C.E.": (1) I said only about 200 people perished in British theatres ''in the last 100 years." The words in italics wero left out by."C.E.," and I ask "Why?" Not to damage mo, "Oh. no!" (2) My letter was a private letter to Mr. "VYoon, Palmerston North. It was handed without my consent to tho "Manawatu Standard." (3) I am just as consistent in my intentions, whether in private letters or otherwise, and as long as I have breath in my. body I shall protest loudly and strongly against laws made where no power of appeal is given, and I repeat tho last part of my letter again for "C.E.V benefit: "That under tho Fire Board Act tho fire superintendent is given powers against which there is no appeal, and if we had many laws of this nature New Zealand would soon become a hotbed of graft and bribery."—l alii, JOHN FULLER, JUN. "ROMANISM." Sir,—l do not propose to tax your space by a seriatim reply fo the extraordinary letter signed by two of tho Johnston clan which appeared in your columns. That the two radically dillercnt interpretations of Christianity known as Romanism and Protestantism should be refused tho grace of toinpera f o discussion is 'strange. I simply write now to rid rnyseli of a very nasty, misquotation which these people have foisted upon me. I never described tho Roman priesthood as "men of sensual faces, maniiestly over-fed," and tho like. On the contrary, as anyone who peruses these pamphlets may discover, 1 made several relerenccs to tho sanctity aud diligence, and courage of many members of tho priesthood. My many. concessions in regard to Catholic people aud Catholic ideas have been regarded as excessive by ultra-Protestants. The distorted quotation which, tho Johnstons use covers two of'their points. It. in itself is powerless (for the' forgiveness of sin).. Confession in itself is powerless. Neither can operate fo r the forgiveness of sin till the priest says the formula (of absolution). Tho priest may be a Imd man. Ho may have a sensual face. He may bo (often is) manifestly over-fed. He may bo a fancier of greyhounds and an ally of bookmakers. He may be a singer of lewd songs, and sometimes is. Nevertheless ho is to judge of your sin. Without his word however you agoniso in private you cannot bo freed* He is licensed to probo your last secrets. Ho is entitled to fix your penance, and without his word there is no release for you." ("Romanism," page 41). It is well known Catholic doctrine that the character of the priest does, not hinder the validity of tho sacrament, ho performs so long as his "intentions" are right. That is all that the sentence states. Reflections many times more poignant in relation to South American priests are made in "Cardinal Vaughan's Life." Tho objection to the phrase, "pick-purso purgatory" is levelled not at me, hut at that ardent and valiant Englishman who "lit such a candle in the realm"—Hugh Latimer. I trust, sir, that the Johnstons will recogniso that in my a very emphatic and positive and primitive form of Christianity is illustrated and enforced. —I am, etc., t

J. J. NORTH. [We have received several letters commenting on tho points raised by tho Messrs. Johnston, but cannot open our columns to a general discussion on tho subject at the present time.] ARMES BEAUMONT FUND. Sir, —Jlr. Amies Beaumont accomplished the jttbileo of his' professional career as a public singer in January, I'JIO, and on December 16 of the same year tho seventieth year of his life, and those in whose memories hero his earliest triumphs still resound, as well as those who enjoyed with ever-increasing pleasure his later singing in grand opera, oratorio, and concert, are seeking, with the kind aid of all who love a good purpose, to provide a fund which will be a means to aasure him that in the attractions of new and younger artists he remains unforgottcn; and which will make tho sunset of his lifo bright with the gratitude of those to whoso pleasure and entertainment ho has so well and so often ministered. Mr. Beaumont's talents aro not -unknown to the generation of to-day, but there are multitudes still hero whoso musical recollections and joys must often turn again to scenes of which his beautiful and moving voice was the music. To every movement to promote charity, to elevate" the public cultilre, cr to make lifo brighter for a friend in need, he was ever tho earliest and most, earnest assist-""i'o-day the dignity/ indeed, of age, but, nnfortu'nntelv, also its many disablements, arc. with him. He is all but blind from an early and very sad accident. Ho has all tho' eager urging cf his artist sense still vivid in him. but he may no longer exert it for the pleasure of sympathising crowds as once lie used so well to do. We are sure that this compliment of remembrance from our Australian people to ■thn first distinguished Australian artist will be as gracious and as comforting as their enthusiasm, praise, and stirring ulaudits used once to bo to tho soul of their favourite singer. \Ve therefore, to aslc, tor tho sako of a worthy man, and for tho sake of those delightful, bright oh bines that are gone, that those gifts which would n-ladlv have been showered then may bo rendered now, to make our presentation worthv of tho occasion and of old friends The honorary treasurer, Mr. Alired Ford, 450 Chancery Jxtno. Melbourne, or tho honorary secretary Mr. Edward Miller 270 Collins Street, Melbourne, will hp Wad to receive and acknowleigo contributtons.—Yours, etc., JOHN MADDEN, President. T. J. DAVEY, Vice-president. July 28.