THE BLACK PAMPHLET.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 22, Issue 91, 24 November 1911, Page 7

THE BLACK PAMPHLET.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,— I have re-read my own letier of the 14th inst., and your reply (?) thereto, and I fail to see bow you oan accu e me of holding " quaint ideas as to political morals," seeing that I expressed none, neither did I suggest that "the elder citizens of the community are morally callous. ” What I tried to express was the contempt that 90 per cent, of the population feel for a party who try to resurrect a charge of commercial immorality 15 years old for political purposes prior to a general election. As to the actual charges contained in the pamphlet, I am much in the same position as the "rising generation” to which you refer so feelingly. As the Colonial Bank failure took place prior to my arrival in the colony all I know about the actual happenings is hearsay; what I do know is this: that for the past two years I have beard certain slanderous statements repeated concerning our Prime Minister culminating in that disgraceful publication the Black pamphlet, which were revolting to every fairminded man. I repeat my former statement, that from the time of the Colonial Bank failure 15 years ago right down to the passing of /the Libel Law Amendment Act, 1910. no reputable man' or journal in New Zealand dared to publish such libellous statements as are contained in the Blaok pamphlet, and for you to plead as an excuse that you are prevented by Act of Parliament passed only last year is obviously ridiculous. What kept you and your contemporaries silent daring all those 15 years ? . Alex W. Nxsbet.

[ln pur comment on Mr Nisbet’s previous letter we professed to supply only information, not intelligence, and as apparently he is not able to appreciate the distinction we cannot enlighten him as to the interpretation to be placed upon his letter. We challenge the statement that 90 per cent, of the people do not approve of an investigation being demanded, and have every confidence that 98 per cent., of New Zealanders are keenly anxious for it. There are many reasons why the newspapers have not dealt with the charges. One of the.ohief of these is that the law of libel in New Zealand, being stricter thqn in any other country in the world, prohibits a definite statement of any charge without legal bo ion following, and no paper feels disposed to spend /300 or *4OO in defending ah action from an altruistic point of view. And the principal reason was probably this ; That until after he attained the Premiership and began to experience the sweets of overlordship Sir. Joseph Ward was, from, his critics’ point of view, not worth powder and shot. As the head of the Government (and ndt as Sir Joseph Ward) bis public and private character are proper subjects of criticism. In conclusion, we would suggest to Mr Nisbet that if he were the proprietor of a huge business and rumourfa of previous apses on the part of bis general manager reached him he would, to be consistent, place the man in a still more important position. Finally, we are not concerned in a persecution of the Premier—that is as futile as it is unnecessary; but when a man steps from obscurity into " the fierce light that beats upon a throne ” he must be prepared to undergo a most searching examination. —Ed. P.G.J.