LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13031, 23 November 1905, Page 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

- I || CHILDISH ARGUMENTS.... §| g Sir, The would-be Government "membef for'Manukau has trotted out',"again, - that; "/ ? S, archaic and childish statement about " gridironing." Because a few Canterbury settlera •in bygone ages did acquire laud'by th'is-pro- ,-y-% cess, no one but beardless boys or children can possibly show, any - connection between these men and our present Opposition. Nei- ' ther Mr. Massey nor Mr. Kirkbride have either gridironed or suppored such a- scheme. There, is just as - much connection .with; the ancient ' " Irish ' bog-schoolmaster" -. rid.-out 1 ■present-day; school" teachers as between , the gridironers and the Opposition. .»" - ■ George Wiles, ' ■■■ ■ - ■ • OLD CLERGYMEN "IN" ; COUNTRY j "'V ' ■ DISTRICTS. •;■ - ' ; Sir, There is at present in a Northern circuit of Church of England diocese an old , clergyman, carrying 011 his duties throughout) - the severe weather of winter and summer, ) on roads unfit for beast, let . alone man, to " /V;. pass. This meek man has performed his pastoral duties in ;country' districts for' nigh •' •, . 20 v years, " undergoing great;. hardships ''and' danger. My friend recently rode his usual round of close on 40 miles on Sunday, taking '® s three services in three centres. It grained the whole way, and he had no time for food between breakfast and tea. On this occasion his horse was bogged and with difficulty extricated itself, and tho man himself was laid up for several days after. There enjoyable experiences do not, however, quit® fill tho bill, for on other occasions he has to pull through ; the open sea in all weathers, , to fulfil engagements elsewhere.• 'He has on. •< , - several days been partially swamped, • and-' on'others in imminent danger ..of his life.'.The exposure and excitement is the sort o£ duty a young man should be proud to undertaSio, but an old one should not be so un- _ feelingly treated as to be compelled to carry on in his present state of health. Layman;

LOCKED UP NATIVE LANDS. ■ Sir, The map by which you show; the* .y,r enormous areas of land now locked .up in the North Island is a powerful argument! in favour of the land policy announced by . the Opposition. Taking into consideration, "t' the -original cost, < and the large sum 'paid! : - 1 :;. for . interest all these years, surely it .'should be • manifest to every : taxpayer that it is time for a change, so that . these • < lands should be maintaining a ; population,- -and, instead of consuming, contribute revenue. There is; a strong v feeling in , avoupvof ! a - " Greater Auckland by absorbing adjacent - ' , districts. But, sir, if these lands were open- 5 ed up and occupied we should have a"' '■[ ; Greater Auckland by 'a growth—streets of houses to St. Heliers, Onehunga and Ota- ' , huhu. The Waikato, - the * Mariukau, and. : ;. .C the Waitemata would be connected by canals; our railways duplicated and added to; and also a great increase in both ex* :■ ports and imports. I am glad that oui 1 ' "' young colonials are coming forward, manifesting by their speeches that they, ardently' " desire the welfare of our colony, and that'' .'.;." ! they can best do this by giving " Massey ' a turn." Edwin Cabk.

LETTERS IN BRIEF. !' As a visitor to your city lam much. a&« ;r..< - tonished at: the backwardness displayed by your City Council in the matter of ' sani- , tary conveniences. You have no decent con- ■ veniences worthy the name. * The first-duty ; of your Council should be to erect and equip, say, ten or a dozen such necessaries, and do . , as is done in ; to-date places, - charge >* 'V: - fee for their use.—Cleanliness. < . *

As your correspondent " Protinus " • says, Mr. Scddon is again on the stump. But what is he going round about,the ■' country at the country's expense for? Not • for the salvation of : the , people and colony of New Zealand. If so, he would be only,; >' - V-; too glad to answer any question he might *- be asked.- But s it's ; the other- way about.- - We must sit quietly by and swallow all that he likes to say, but, no, don't ask any- ' questions.Elector. ' , 1 ' '* * ' 1 ' " """" '' < ' vV '