THE REV. MR THOMSON AND MR HARNEIT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14281, 1 August 1908, Page 14

THE REV. MR THOMSON AND MR HARNEIT.

Sir,—ln this morning's Times appears a, half-column published under special arrangement with the Rev. William Thomson and headed "Striking Condemnation of No-licenso in Invercargill." Other and abler pens than mine have already replied to Mr Harnett's criticism, and my object in. writing is merely to nut the following question, -to the Rev. \v. Thomson:—la Mr Thomson convinood that Dunedin is tho most immoral city ill New Zealand? Mr Harnett, in the course of an interview, stated that lie saw more drunken people in Invercargill than lie had seen in aJiy other city of the Dominion. Mr Thomson characterises Mr Harnett's observations as ''emphatic, and, coming from one who is absolutely unbiassed," and therefore a criticism which " cannot fail to convince reasonable readers tltat no-license is a failure." He further states that Mr Harnett "had more opportunities of seeing the true state ot things in Invercargill than all his critics combined." "He is well known as a keen observer, is very well informed, mingles, as a man of tho world, with all forts of business people." In these words Mr Tbofnson proceeds to show why the judgment of tho manager of the British football team should be just and above reproach. Now, Mt Harnett is further orcditcd with the statement that Dunedin "was the most immoral city he had ever visited. "This is omphatic, and coming from one who is absolutely unbiassed, cannot fail to convince reasonable road ere" of the immorality that is rampant in their midst. Such, forsooth, is Mr Thomson's lino of •reasoning, and 1 would liko to ask him whether he, as a. reasonable reader, is convinced that Dunedin is as immoral as . M.r Harnett would have us believe. Mr Thomson's answer will, I feel sure, be read with interest by many.—l am, etc., Hakold J. Keith. Dunedin, July 3D.