LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 46, 31 March 1914, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

THE ARMY,

To the Editor of THE SUIT.

Sir, —I may be wrong, rj tsut my reading of history leads me to think that theway Oliver Cromwell dominated politics by means of his standing has filled the British people with a wholesome fear of the power of suelx an institution. And the recent incident of the officers using their power to block the decisions of Parliament will have the same effect on this generation. It appears to me that a strong feeling will gather force and make use of the Scriptural expression, "Men and brethren, these things ought not to be.'' I take it that- the direction in which reform will proceed will be in taking away any monopoly which one class may claim for officering the Army. Napoleon told his soldiers that any private could rise to be a general if he was fitted for the post. Unquestionably the aristocracy have adorned the Army in past times—but "a man's a man for a' that,'' and in every class are to be found fit men for the position. —I am, etc., LAW AND ORDER.

THE LIBERAL SPIDER AND THE FLY RED FED.

To the Editor of THE SUN.

j Sir, —The Liberals"seem greatly exercised and are bringing forth a multitude of reasons why the Sociai Democrats should combine with them. Ofcourse, they are quite disinterested: they have tho interests of Labour .at heart,, etc., but in reality it is the same old story, "Will you walk into my parlour,, said the spider to the fly." We took this advice years ago with Seddon, and we have been beautifully left. What did the Liberals do to reduce the cost of living? They finished up finally by ap- ' pointing a commission of enquiry to see why it had- increased. , So much under , Liberalism. Mr Field, of Otaki, ought to know, and he says that Reform and Liberalism are the same—it id only a question of leadership—so that if any ; alliance is spoken of we had better-ally - ourselves with the leader who is in power and can therefore give us something. The suggestion that we should support the Liberal Party is asking us tb sink all our capital in a bankrupt firm and allow them to continue business and trade oil our resources. All is fair in love and politics, therefore our duty is plain: Force the old firm of Liberalism through the Bankruptcy Court,- and then seize their place of business and < 'go in and win." The Liberals can rest their minds easy; that which we are out,to do is not to help them, but to help ourselves. We in ight beat Massey just as last year we combined and put out Ward, but what's tho gain? We are simpJy the shuttlecock for both parties—a case of heads I win/ tails you lose. As a party we cannot expect to win next j election, but by contesting every x strong Liberal "seat we can do what we did in Grey and Lyttelton, till the Liberal Party is stone dead, and then we be- . come one of the two parties left, and. a change of Government in the future means 'we win.

The path of duty is plain, and the Liberals need not expect iis to commit ; political suicide by following their lead and crying, " Down with Massey<" Why, they could combine with -Eef-drm to-mor-row in the various, electorates where we - are strong, to defeat us, so that the parties left should be Eeform and Liberal. No, Mr Liberal, the~fly t?UI not be caught this time. We have decided ,to starve thie spider. . " , EEB FEDA