WHO DESERVES PITY? TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume LII, Issue 21, 18 June 1896, Page 2

WHO DESERVES PITY? TO THE EDITOR.

Sin — I haye read the Premier's speech at the Rink, and how he pitied his unfortunate comrade. Would that I could make him see the other side of the picture. I think my own misfortune in belonging to the Loan Company and these two Banks should make him shed a tear for me also. Two out of these chree, it now seems, were hopelessly bankrupt when I was decoyed into them by false balance-sheets (facile decensus averni). Conoequently it follows that my money was obtained by false pretences, and I am not bound by their laws. Your paper deserves the support of all honest men, and very few have followed your example in exposing a state of commercial morality very similar, in my mind, to the brigandage of Italy. I lately saw the picture of two ships — one a pirate, and the other a merchantman. The first had decoyed the second by a false signal to withm a few hundred yards, and the poor merchantman could only see gaily-dressed men and women (as it appeared) and hear music, but in ambush lay the boarders, with every species of murderous weapon. I understand the Premier draws a considerable salary from the Bank of New Zealand, and previously the country hired him at a very considerable salarj'. Does the country allow him to hire himself twice ? It seems this sort of thing may have led to the great loss inourred by the Colonial Bank — namely, too many irons in the* fire. I should like to tell the Premier how this Bank treats him as compared with its unfortunate owners. I have 30 shares in it, which have cost me £400 already, and about a year ago, being in extremities owing to these institutions, I arranged with the Colonial Bank to give me £200 on another person's house, at 8 per cent. The Colonial Bank at its death bequeathed its goods to the Bank of New Zealand, and this was taken over, I suppose, among the list ; at all events tlie Bank of New Zealand accepted the conditions as made by the Colonial Bank. It happened, however, I did not pay the last two calls, and they and interest came to £70. The house was sold last month, and I sent a cheque to the Bank of New Zealand, paying my liability, and requested the title deeds of this house. The reply was they could not be given up until I paid all owing to the Bank of New Zealand ; also for calls and' interest. Look now, Mr. Premier, at the blessedness of being a Bank shareholder and additions we have to thank the present Parliament for. I am, &c, A Victim.