CORRESPONDENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11686, 22 June 1901, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE

DEMOCRACY AND TITLES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —It was with deep regret that I read the telegrams and your sub leader re Sir Joseph Ward. 1 can hardly wonder that the people are apathetic, and care little who gets into power, seeing how often their ideals (or idols) are shattered. What would our old beloved chief and leader, the late plain Mr. John Ballanco, think, and say, if, from, his well-earned rest, he could return to guide the people onward he loved so woll? Ale- * dinks even his kindly eye would flash, with indignation as he beheld the Democratic loader grovelling to Royalty and titles. I seem to hear him -.ay, " What! von choose si tawdry title to the love of the people who have bravely stood by you through troublous limes, and who have raised you to the position of a leader so that you might lead our young nation onward in the van of progress." Although, Mr. Editor, you may approve of th<» title bestowed and accepted in the above case, yet I do not think even you would argue that it is defensible from a democratic point of view. I can only hope, that it will rouse the people, and make them guard their interests more jealously than hitherto, and if it should haply servo that purpose, then we still have nothing to fear from those who may choose to violate the fundamentid nritmiriles of the Democracy. Not even Sir Joseph can serve two masters faithfully, and if the people are alive to their own interests, they will pass their verdict at the next general election. So mote it be!—l am, etc., ' Laurence Johnston.