MALICIOUS STATEMENT CORRECTED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 425, 18 August 1908, Page 4

MALICIOUS STATEMENT CORRECTED.

The Rev. J. Morten Barnes writes to the Petone Chronicle to correct a malicious report which ‘ ‘ some ill-disposed person has had the impudence to concoct.” He says the chief constable at the Hutt has called upon him to inquire if it was true if he had sent his children out begging. The tale, he says, is absolutely unfounded. ‘‘ No doubt it has originated from some capitalist who has taken umbrrge at any outspoken socialism.” The letter continues: ‘‘lt is true I ask subscriptions and sell books to support me in my work, and shall continue to do so until the New Zealand Government finds me some clerical or tutorial work congenial to my own environment. Let me say that I could succeed in my own work if I had capital, but although I have applied to a millionaire and other rich people lor the money I need to establish an Esperanto College, they are all too mean and selfish to lend a helping hand. The truth which lam giving out and the principles for which I stand are too high and noble for these money-grabbers; it is like casting pearls before swine—they only grunt and turn and rend me all they can. I came out to New Zealand thinking the people were ready for Socialism and Progressive Thought, but I find them wallowing in the mire of greed and selfishness. Some are enlightened, but th2 majority are slaves to Mammon and have no higher ideals than ‘grab’ and ‘grasp.’ Pigs! let them eat and drink their money ; let them gloat over their gold and silver; and then, when they pass into the spiritual world, let them go about picking up rags and bones as the result of their miserly hoarding instincts.”