THE PREMIER AND MR ATKINSON.

Evening Star, Issue 11663, 23 January 1902, Page 5

THE PREMIER AND MR ATKINSON.

[Special to the Star.] WELLINGTON. .Wiry 23. Mr Atkinson's reply to the Premier's latest attack is the most ferocious:, and therefore the most flattering, of the three. "It tickles my vanity." he writes, " that his endeavors to save the Empire still allow him time for his endeavors to crush myself. It afiords me additional pleasure that his snceess in the former enterprise is as certain as his failure in tie latter. He has now made three explanations as to the exclusbn of a political opponent from what purported to be a non-party meeting, and each is inconsistent 'with the other. It is due to the Committee, who at the Premier's bidding executed so complete a somersault in so short notice, to emphasise the fact that so impeachment of my patriotism has evilbeen breathed by them as a reason for their abandonment of me. Though they felt constrained to obey the Premier, they showed the very reverse of any desire to defame, insult, or injure me. After the Premier's latest utterance it would perhaps be too much to expect so thorough-going a supporter of his as the mover of the resolution for my abandonment to come forward and repeat'in public his complimentary acknowledgment of my Laborious services on all citizens' committees connected with the despatch of the various contingents. 1 am <|uite certain that neither lie nor his colleagues would have willingly committed himself to any endorsement «f approval of the libel devised by the Premier to blacken a political opponent who he despairs of injuring in a fair tight." Iteferrins to the Premier's charge that Mr Atkinson remained mute during the singing of the National Anthem, the latter says: " I certainly cannot open my mouth aM widely as the 'Premier in singing ' God save the King ' or any other loyal anthem —he equally affects the 'Wearing of the green'—but T hope for purer tests of my patriotism. Yet how comforting it is to knaw that even in the most loyal transports, during the singing of the National Anthem, tae fervid but vigilant patriotism of the Premier permits "him to keep his eye on the mouths of his political opponents, to .-ee whether tliey are opening them as wide iv they should, and that he has a soul lanro eno'ngh to make party capital out of and deficiency thev may betray iu this respect. The anthem was only once sung in the House in my time, at the'conclusion of the debate .-a the Pacific Islands annexation motion, 't was surely a disastrous departure from precedent to call 'God save' to celebrate a division on a question which had been yery warmly debated, and in which ;o staunch an Imperialist as Captain Russell differed from the majority. If there had been any real enthusiasm or spontaneity \ho proceeding would have been more excusable, but there was none. The Premier issued the order, gave the signal, and duly had it cabled Home to misrepresent the feelings of the House and the country with regard to his farcical attempt to rival Sancho Panza by founding an Island Empire in the South Seae. I have dealt with the Premier's two specific charges, and must leave the general mention to be decided by less partial judges than him or me. My patriotism or benevolence has not been on parade so much as his. True patriotism is a much cleaner, quieter, sincerer, and moTe self-respecting, wlf-*acrificing thing—braver in action than talk—something inspiring and ennobling—something of which to be proud, not ashamed of. There is a sufficient reserve of it in the race to take us safely through the present and even graver crises."

In spite of the many drawbacks from ■which they suffer, the Catlins settlers are Tery much attached to their bush homes. When the party went down there the other day Mr Mackenzie asked an old lady (who.se accent proclaimed her nationality) if she would like to leave Catlins. "Leave Catlins," she replied; " I wad like tae see the nan -wad take me oot o* this. I'd get my legs aroond the stumps o' a tree, and you ▼ftdna drag me awa' wi' a bullock team." Superficial Inspection.—She: "I can read you just like a book." He: "Oh, well; if you only read me the way you gallop through jour novels there's no harm done,"