THE "MISSING M.H.R."

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10035, 28 April 1894, Page 4

THE "MISSING M.H.R."

TO THE EDITOR.

Shi,—The insinuations made against the senior member for Dunedin in a letter signed "Oaward" in Friday's issue, appear to rae to be unfair, and the assumptions of the writer unwarranted. Because our member has not thought it needful to identify himself with the_ demonstrations made by the ultra-prohi-bitionists, it is assumed that he occupies a position antagonistic to th&t.which tie maintained during the contest. For my part, I should be glad to think that at the back of every vote given to Mr Piukerton at the recent election stood an elector pledged to destroy that traffic which is admittedly so dangerous that in civilised countries it is only permitted to be carried on under governmental control, hedged about with safeguards, which can only be applied to State-granted and State-protected monopolies. Such, however, was obviously not the case, and it is equally a fact that our members were not in any sense pledged to enter upon a prohibition crusade. What was promised was that the principles of democracy should be applied to this question 5 that tho majority should rale, andthat the act Bhould be made fair and workable. To demand more than this and to do so in a manner which may not be inaccurately described as "bumptious," is neither fair nor prudent. In what sense can the senior member for the oity be characterised as " missingj" ? -Atno time has he declared for prohibition, but only for the right of the people to rule. He was certainly never " missing " from his post in Parliament, but was there in common with the other Labour members, ag the division lists prove, and his tireless vigilance, unobtrusive activity, and quiet influence on every subject was worth any amount of "prancing," and counted for more than the wildest waste of words that has ever rendered night hideous within the Jrecinets ot Parliament.—l am, fee; .-,,... Banedin, April 27. PiioaßEss.