CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11243, 12 December 1899, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE.

MR. ANNAN AND HIS CRITICS. TO THE EDITOR. §; _Yqur correspondent, "North Ward Elector," is evidently fond of firing from behind hedges under cover of nom de plume, and as he has made statements void of truth, I shall not take up my time replying to him. When he is not ashamed to attach his namo to his letters I shall then have much pleasure in replying, as I always sign my name and am not iifrakl to back up my statements with documentary evidence. 1 might also state the same to the correspondent naming him,„if " Veracity."—l am, etc., *• J. H. Hakkak.

PROHIBITION. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l think the teetotallers hero should he prohibited from running our elections with their peculiar political tests, especially now that they have tried and tried again for 12 years. The candid among them will surely acknowledge that this prohibition proposal is highly reasonable. A few years ago, over 50.000 knots astern! perhaps more now, and this result, after years of zealous preaching and vigorous, importunato agitation, it should suffice them that they have fully ascertained the opinion and feeling of the New Zealand colonists. What more is wanted of the teetotal electioneering? The thing has become a nuisance: expense vast; and good —"fit and proper"—men kept out of the House. It should bo now stopped.—l am, etc.. W. E. Sadler. December 9,1899.

THE ELECTION AND THE SALVATION ARMY. TO TUB EDITOR. Sir,—Tt appears to mo to be desirable to take note of the abovo organisation in connection with the election. In this neighbourhood they, with the exception of two or three, have givon » block voto for the Government candidate, the captain having canvassed for him. When questioned as to tho reason of their conduct, they unblushing])- affirmed that it is because of the kindness of Mr. Seddon and tho Government in making them grants of money, etc. If this were an isolated ease, it might not lie so marked, but they did precisely the same thing at the previous election, which makes it appear as if they act according to instructions from headquarters. Indeed, it is hard to conceive that it is otherwise. Should not this lie remembered when we receive their frequent appeals for holp? They may bo doing some work of a philanthropic character, but is this tho price we are to pay for it? If so, it may bo woll to inquire if there are r.o other societies doing the same work that aro more deserving of cur support?—l am, etc., A.9.

THE RESULT OF THE ELECTIONS. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Dr. Bakcwell in his letter states that ho has changed his views respecting the position of Iho capitalist. I venture to think that tlio great body of tho electors of this colony have gone much further and changed their opinions regarding the whole functions of Government. The things that tho Executive, representing the body politic, should or should not control, have steadily— lately morn rapidly— undergoing radical change. No ono will deny the powerful individuality of Mr. Scddon, but it is only in the fact that ho voices their beliefs that it is in the power and within (ho true functions of the State to materially improve the environment and position of the great mass of tho people, and that without doing injury to any individual member. This I believe to bo tho source of Mr. Seddon's power that has induced the people to say: "You have gone further in what has derisively boon styled 'experimental legislation , than the leader of any Government, none of your legislation has done any real harm, but much good; wo will waive minor differences and givo you an unfettered hand to try and accomplish greater thing?." I cannot but believe that if tho feelings of the mass of those who have voted tho Liberal ticket could be got they would take this shape. It would take more of your valuable space than you can afford even to sketch the gradual widening of what were considered tho functions of the State amingst the Englishspeaking people. From the introduction of the penny post in England to tho passing of our latest labour legislation, the cry of tho timid was ever the same, "You are interfering with the rights and liberties of the individuals, drifting to socialism and ruin." Experience lias proved tho needlossness of our fearr, and will again. It is foolish and unjust to try to injuro tho capitalist, but- it is written, "Givo us neither poverty nor riches," and of a truth the pauper and tho millionaire are equally a nuisance and disgrace to our civilisation, and I believe it is in the power of the Stato to reduce both.— am, etc., W. 6. Jit'KSOX. Bartloy, Northcoto.

AN APPEAL. TO TIIE EDITOR, Sir,—l notice that the women in Sydney have united to make sleoping suits for the use of poor fellows in the hospitals in South Africa. Why should we not follow tho example? I hereby appeal to the mothers, sisters, and friends of our bravo mon who have gone to tlie war, at once to form working parties. Wo might benefit many a suffering soldier, and at the same timo it will help us to bear tho awful strain of anxiety on their account. Will all willing to help with money or by work, communicate at onre, by postcard bearing name and address to the Mayor, Mr. D. Goltlio, Council Chambers, that a committee and centres for work may be formed without delay.—l am, etc., Tite Mother op Oxk of the Contingent.

SMOKY CHIMNEYS. TO TIIR EDITOR. Sir,—When laudable efforts aro being made to improve our streets, it is very desirable that some attention should be paid to the smoke nuisance in our city. It is high timo that it was remedied, or, at all events, ameliorated. In sonic places, such as Short-land-street, it is very offensive on dull days, but whether on account- of bad fuol, bad stoking, or tho absence of hollow perforated fire-bars, I cannot say. However, it would be well worth while for our Mayor or the acting-town clerk to write to tho municipal authorities in Paris and Berlin, asking for their methods of dealing with the smoke Buisancc—l am, etc., «•

THE KETCH ENVY. TO THE EDITOR, Sir,—ln Saturday's issue you drew attention to the injustice and loss caused to Captain Champion, by the action of the Marino Department in detaining tho vessel m this port until a magisterial inquiry could be hold as to her seaworthiness. Now, surely, instead of detaining tho vessel, the proper and feasible course would have been to have at oner ordered a survey, and allowed the vessel to depart, if found seaworthy. But no, Mr. Huteheson, who ventilated tho notorious "marino scandal," was the person who unfortunately made the statements respecting Hie Envy, which havo not been substantiated. Consequently the Marine Department could not forego the present importunity of discrediting him.—l am, etc., Onlooker.

'One Who Voted" write? : -Would you allow me to ask through your valuabl; paper whether this last election is legal, seeing tiio hundreds of names that were struck off the roll without lawful reason? Wo are worso floated here than the English in tho Transvaal.