THAT SERMON.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1336, 13 January 1912, Page 6

THAT SERMON.

Sir,—Kindly allow mo a few lines in the "grand old Dominion" to answer "Phylax." Now, "Phylax," you are only throwing' dust in the eyes of, the people. We do not agree with what you_ say, but that is your opinion and you are very wclcomo'to it. We liave ours, and I am sure you will agree wo are welcomo to it too; both can bo given expression to at tlie ballot-box. Now, this is,the vital point: Is Archdeacon Harper justified in making such insinuations and assertions as to the characters of the leaders of the temperance movement in such wretchcd language as he indulged in in his sermon, and then hide behind his pulpit? We would'ask the rev. gentleman to come out in the open and a ease" and stand by it. Wo will givo him fair play, he need not fear. -So we will now leave it with the rev. gentleman to do so. Just one more point: "Phylax" would liko the i Prohibition quostion removed from politics: no doubt he would, but when there was a majority vole cast of fifty-five thousand in favour of it, I would ask him, Why?— I am, etc., . 'A CITIZEN. Sir, —It is with great regret that I 600 such a letter in your columns as that over the signature of the executive of the New Zealand Alliance. To the best of my knowledge, Archdeacon Harper most manfully castigated the parties interested in the reosnt elections and licensing poll, who descended in some cases to tlio lowest depths of bitterness and scurrility, mostly in the licensing poll. The castigatiou was delivered equally to one party as to the other, and for the take the whole would bo vastly amusing wcro it not so pathetic. It would appear, and I should not think myself far wrong in declaring, that it is a case of a closely-fitting cap. Having read all the "Torchlight" advertisements and somo others, I cannot see that the workers for No-License can tako refuge in any very exalted plane. Can either of the reverend signatories to the Alliance letter claim that there was no intolerance, malice, hatred, untruthfulness, or slander exhibited by their apologists during the last few niiraths?—l am, etc,, J. W. BARCLAY. [Quite enough space has now been given to the ventilation of this matter, and tlio correspondence must closo with the letters iu this issue.l