MR ATKINSON AND HIS VOTE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6491, 10 April 1908, Page 5

MR ATKINSON AND HIS VOTE.

(To the Editor "K.Z. Times.") Sir,— I “John Bunion/' aa he now spells his name in apt allusion to the lameness of his second effort, has abandoned his original charge against me of impotent wobbling foi one of “loose writing and careless thinking." In reply, may I b© allowed to say that one who sets out in this superior fashion to correct another should at least be sure of his own ground, and not himself laps© into one of the most unfortunate combinations of which a critic can be guilty—that, namely, of pedantry and ignorance. My offence is having said that instead of disfranchising myself by indecision, 1 hoped to cast “an effective vote." "If 'effective'." says J. 8.. "his vote settles the election!" An effective vote means, apparently in his opinion, a casting vete; at ‘-any rate, non© other is’ effective.When Mr Aitken was- first returned for the city by 7000 votes, were alllhesevotes ineffective, or only tho thousand which he had to spare, and if so, which thousand was it? Neither in the language of scholars, nor in that of ordinary conversation, is there any such limitation of the meaning of “effective" as he suggests. "Capable of producing effect" and “adapted for a desired end" are two of the meanings which are given to the word in standard dictionaries; and either is good enough for my purpose. But the point is really too absurd to be worth labouring. "John Bunion" can surely find more effective stuff than this to purge the mental vision of myself and others who cannot yet see their way to supporting his candidate.—l am, etc.^ A. E. ATKINSON. April 9th.