LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17293, 17 October 1919, Page 9

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

SOLDIER FOOTBALLERS. Sir, —I do not know if the patriotic people have finished their good work in meeting troopships and supplying returned boys with cigarettes and other dainties, but I would just like to state that there was a murmur of censure being passed on Thursday afternoon on the wharf, on the arrival of the s.s. Ajana, bringing home the New Zealand Expeditionary Force football team, which won the Empire Cup in the Army football matches in Britain. Many of these men carry wounded badges, and they have fulfilled two glorious missions. They helped in the first place to defeat the Germans, and they also upheld the honour of New Zealand Rugby on the fields of Britain and South Africa. Outside the Deputy-Mayor (Mr. A. J. Entrican), who gave them a splendid welcome home, and a few Rugby officials and friends of the boys, the patriotic people were not in evidence. I give the patriotic workers credit for their good work in the , past: this incident has taken a hit of the i gilt off it. Artrtti Tn,LT. PARTY POLITICS. —The Prime Minister, in a. manifesto which appeared in the HERALD of the 13th inst.. said: "Then with regard to party matters there seems to be .a se< - tion of the people, both in Parliament and outside of it. who are anxious to pet back to the old demoralising party system, with all its iniquities and products." In this denunciation of the Prime Minister all will unite, but precept is one thing and putting it into practice is another. Speaking in Canterbury. Mr. Xosworthy not many months 'before his elevation t<i the Cabinet said. "I would not support a Ministry which contained in it. a Rom-!!! Catholic, etc." Would, or could, he sun port armies led by Foch or General Robertson? Now. the primary attribute of a Minister of the Crown, a judire. m,u:irate, or any leader of men shou.d he lh>. possession of an evenly-balanced mind Judged by the statement above quoted does the member for Ashburton possi >.- this essential attribute? Could the {""riir*> Minister, in view of his condemnation it party politics, justify Mr. Nnsw<>rtjiv"- appointment to a position in whi-h he i.Mr. ! Nosworthvi must necessarilv have (<< '' •> with an important part of ••!:: pop-i! i tion. which Mr. N'osworthy ptjb!ii ly enI trusts and insults. The apr- infn-id '■» j Cabinet rank of such a man is a coivi - , tion and perpetuation of party no 'lire •. 1 their worst and most •->dion- Vistii. M. .1. suf.w^v