WHAT COLOUR IS HE ?

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10306, 13 March 1895, Page 7

WHAT COLOUR IS HE ?

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —If I were asked, What is truth ? my reply would be, That which all true men aDd women are seeking; and I might add, it is exceedingly hard to find; also, in the words of Captain Guttle, "When found, to be made a note of."

A political student of human nature ones wrote—1' When by night the frogs are croaking, kindle but a torch's fire. Ha 1 how soon they all are silent! Thus, truth silences the liar." The lines just quoted came to mind whilst listening to Mr Frewen last evening upon bimetallism, and when at its close Mr Earcshaw (a workingman, and a Parlumentary representative in defence of labour's righto) endorsed the capitalistic edict, "Wages must go down," and upheld the bimetallist's bill of faVe, again came the thought, " Where's the torch ? "

Is bimetallism the torch, or a lie ? Mr Ifrewen blandly" said he was the wsrkers' friend, or words to that effect; and Mr Earashaw, M.H.R., says ditto, ditto ! ergo —connt them a unit, take a pan of dirt, apply any ordinary test, and sse it there be as much as a grain of precious metal in it for the worker.

If Mr Earnshaw can demonstrate that there is, he will most certainly outshine both Me Grossman and Mr Frewen, and must improve his own uncertain political position at theeame tims.

The rehabilitation of silver would immediately double thg value of the output of every silver mine in the world. Would tha mine owners double the : miners' wages ? Bimetallism will double the amount of legal tender currency in existence. How about its circulation ?. Silver universally rehabilitated, gold will be withdrawn from circulation ! With what result ? And if a reduction of wages is inevitable, what will b8 the effect of rising prices (claimed under bimetallism by its advocates) upon the great mass of population—the workers ?

. Mr Earnshaw having endorsed the bimetallic programme, as a seeker after truth I shall ba glad if he will answer the preceding questions. I am, &c, March 12. A Tbuth-seekee.