YANKEE IONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12534, 22 June 1901, Page 3

YANKEE IONS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The speech delivered by Mr Ell on Wednesday last is noticeable for the frequent reference uto America and the way tilings political are conducted in the land of wooden nu.megs. One cannot help tMrking that if it has been deemed necessary to write a book on the evils of Tammanyism as showing the corruption of the Uni-rcd States’ parliamentary methods, that Mr Ell, who is such a sfc : elder for purity in politics as well as sound morals, might have hesitated before quoting and eulogising American procedure. Probably the speaker re. numb;red that among Ms supporters 'there w-ua a section of advanced women, and

others who believed in certain semi-religious Yankee notions. Mr Ell gave his audience the impression that he intended to give them an idea of the future programme of Ms party, but possibly the question of preserved ginger caused him to forget the matter. I left the meeting at a quarter-past ten, and nothing had been said as 'to the probable'proceedings of the twenty-six numbers whom Mr Ell spoke of as Ms immediajte»followcTs. I have lived under the impression that New Zealand was a Democratic 'Community, but this illusion is dispelled by our member, who informs us that w© are governed by the Ministry, and we' have no voice in the management of the country. If that is so, why pay two hum dred and eighty per annum, to our members, who are supposed to represent us?—l am, etc., W.J.A. ,