PLAIN SPEAKING.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 129, 1 June 1907, Page 14

PLAIN SPEAKING.

Under the heading "Swelled Heads," an open letter to Sir William Lyne, by "Gracchus," appears in a recent issue of Reynolds's Newspaper. Tho writer says: — "Just because a self-governing colony governs itsslf, so ought it to respect the independence of others. If the people of England tried to intermeddle with the politics of Australia, all the people whom you aro supposed to represent at the conference would rise in indignation, and protest against such presumption, and, similarly, the people of England arc not likely to sit down' quietly when you arc guilty of the colossal impudence of interfering with their affairs. John Bull may be an old-fashioned fogey, but at least ho knows on which side his brend 's buttered, and his experience of protection — extending, as it did, over 400 years — has taught him at least that untaxed commerce pays him better than that insidious form of indirect robbery which goes by the name of protection. As a democrat, you ought to* havo some respect for tho opiniona of fortytwo millions of people just expressed at the polh. Yet, notwithstanding tho recent general election in England, you, tho guest of the nation, go out of 'your way to support tho party of tho privileged classes in thcni- iiLlempts io tax tho food of tho people. If you desired to damn tho cause of Imperial preference you could not do it moro effectually than by thrusting your puny little finger into tho mighty cauldion of British politics. You had the mipertinenco to call the result of tho last general election a men flash in the pan. Was it v mere flash in the pan which resulted in your elevation to your present position? Even the most thoughtless rcados of tho yellow press could sco tho sort of politician you are. The st/itement you mado bristled with tho thoughtless superficial generalisations which stamp ' tho unbaked politician Among other silly statements you revelled in was the amazing absurdity that England was living from hand to mouth. To those who know anything of Australian politics, this took one's breath away. It is such a delicious picture— that of mighty and prosperous Australia coining to rescue, poor, penniless England from bankruptcy. Whore, my dear fellow, have you got your ideas from? Can you read? If so, you might study the trade returns of tho two countries, Can you count? If so, you might spend your timo in calculating how long it will take your continent to repay this little island tho many millions you have boi rowed from her. 'Have you nnv notion of the; oidinniy courtc&ics of life? If so, you will hrsilatc next lime before you slander your hostess,"' -"