CORRESPONDENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5485, 10 February 1896, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

MR R. M. TAYLOR. . TO THB EDITOR. Sir, — After readiig the important letter signed "Real Liberal" in Saturday's Star, many readers and Rectors must be thankful to the Ministry for their prompt and patriotic action in connection with the welfare of the -working classes, in not closing the doors of the Bank of New Zealand. I am rare the school teachers and the labouring classes are not likely to forget the terrille calamity that might have happened ifjthe prohibitionist member for Christchurch had had his way, by voting for the bank closing its doors.. There cannot be any doubt but that the working classes will rally round Mr R. M. Taylor, \the Government candidate, and place him at the head of tbc-p'oll. — I am, &c, - DISGUSTED'WITH PROHIBITION. \ yMR T. fi. TAYLOR. j / '"' TO THE EDITOR. :.Sii£ — I have not trespassed upon your jijice previously during this contest, but yo\r leader of Saturday is so misleading in Its assertions that I must ask for the opportunity of correcting the wrong impreaion N you have formed on some points. Youkleclare that the motto of the Liberal Part) in the present contest is "Measures not nfen." Immediately after this declaration ym contend that Liberals cannot vote for ml for the following reasons : — (1) Because jvc years ago (not two as you state) I voted br a candidate whom you define as a Conseirative. (2) Because you assert lam not alsupporter of the present Liberal Party. (3) Because I have dared to question the' honesty of certain administrative and politicalactions of the Premier.' In reply to your Assertions— (l) I wish to say that I have f\Uy defended the vote I cast five years ag>, at my public meetings, and assert confidently . that on many fundamental dunocratic principles the man I supportedvwas sounder than the Liberal candidate Who wobbled badly to catch votes. (2) \ I have . repeatedly pledged myself duing this contest to maintain intact the ligislation of the past five years, and to world loyally and heartily with the advanced section of the Liberal Party in securing progressive legislation and helping to retain thetrespeet of the people for the Liberal Part* by guarding against acts of Ministerial f<|ly so far as their administration is concerned. You desire from a representative a pledge that is tantamount to a promisejto endorse the every act of a political Itader, tolerate his apathy or wink at <his folly. I refuse to sacrifice my ielf-respect to this extent. You state whai is absolutely untrue when you declare that I ask "to be sent to Wellington absolutely free from any party obligation." I\ will support and work loyally with the Liberal Party, but the point where you and I differ is here : I believe v the Liberal Party should control the Ministry, you believe the Ministry should control ihe Liberal Party. Years before . some of my opponents had cast a vote I helped in the fight from the public platform to secure the half-holiday, woman's franchise and other reforms, and my efforts of the past few years to win absolute control of the liquor traffic for the people ' cannot be regarded as , evidence of the Conservative views you are labouring so hard to make the people believe I hold. If 'you have not been guilty of a slip of the editorial pen in saying that " measures not men" should be the people's motto for ths election, how does it apply to myself? I have endorsed the past legislation of the Liberal Party, and pledged earnest support to more progressive measures than the Ministry have intimatedtheir intention tointroduce. Under these circumstances your opposition to my candidature is suggestive of your desire to place the Ministry before measures, and to secure the return of a man who will siipport.the Ministry first, measures afterwards. I claini that the people's interests and measures should be of paramount importance, and look forward with confidence to the people's verdict on that point next Thursday. — I am, &c, THOMAS EDWARD TAYLOR. [Exactly. The people's verdict will be given next Thursday, and it remains to be seen whether they are prepared to accept Mr Thomas Edward Taylor at his own valuation. — Ed. Star.']