THE MAYORALTY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13578, 25 April 1908, Page 4

THE MAYORALTY.

We dissent entirely from. Mr Huidley's view of the newspaper criticism that may be directed against a man who offers himself for \a public position as Mr. Hawkey has done. Our correspondent says that " whether Mr Craigie or Mr Hawkey will make the better 'Mayor for the ensuing year is beside the question."./' We should say it is very much beside the questionit is, in fact, the question itself —and legitimate criticism of - the relative value of the two .candidates, and 'of their .past municipal records, ought- lo have theUvalue in' assisting the electors td decide which of the two is. the more/ entitled to their votes. So long as the criticism is legitimate (and it is. our ousinees to see that we admit nothing but legitimate criticism), what does it matter whether the criticism appears over the writer's own

name, or over an anonymous signature? The essential thing is the argument contained in the letter, not the identity of the writer. ' Indeed, from one point of view, anonymous letters are perhaps 'preferable to those which are signed by the authors, for the reading public judges the iugumente advanced without the prejudice, favourable or adverse, excited by the personality of the-jvriter. vlur Hurdky, for--, instance, might be profoundly impmvbed—we do not say lie would— by _ a letter bearing the .signature of a commercial or professional magnate,,: when he would ■ not give a second thought to precisely identical sentimentis expressed by some obscure member ot society. In any case, we fear that he is wasting his time in! preaching his doctrine that- everybody who criticises a public man in the newspapers should sign h:s letters. Neither the public nor the newspapers will follow that advice, rso Mr Hurdley will probably tmd it more profitable, to study the niati-e®, iyitlier than of coiiespoiide'nce in tlie Press. ,