CHRISTCHURCH NORTH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10232, 15 August 1911, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH NORTH.

THE RIGHT TO WORK. TO TIIK EDITOR. gj rj —When you said that Mr Hall was a baby in politics, I think that was the term you used, I thought you were only ridiculing him to bolster up your own pot candidate. But you were quite right. I heard him speak last night and think your description too complimentary. One question put to him was: W 7 as he in favour of a Right to Work Bill? He said when he started that he thought a member of Parliament ought to be a thinker, but he had never thought about the toughest of all the questions that have to be answered in civilised countries. I refer to that of unemployment. His answer to tho quest ion was: "He had never heard of it." Never heard of a Right to Work Bill! He did not know what it was about. I bet Mr D. G. Sullivan or Mr L. R. Wilson, who stood down this election, could have told the audience all about it. They are only toilers, but they are readers awl thinkers too ; and they know enough about the miseries of unemployment to bo able to answer a question like .that. Mr Hall is just one of those useless Johnnies who have all the bread and butter and beer they want, and that is all they care about. You don't catch any of the workers voting for that sort.—l am, etc., ONLY A CLICKERONE MAN ONE VOTE. TO THIi EDITOR. Sir, —Mr Hall's claquers in tho present campaign are making capital out of the absolutely false statement that his father gave New Zealand one man one vote—the foundation of all the democratic reforms since carried. They imply that Mr Hall himself favours the principle. But as a matter of fact Mr Hall believes in one man one vote and a half whore the liquor trade is concerned. At his meeting last night an estimable and justly respected citizen asked him: "Is not my vote worth as much as a drunken loafer's?" And Mr Hall's claquers yelled with glee when ho replied: "Of course it is." This might have been funny if it were true. But as a matter of fact the drunken loafer's vote, if he happens to vote continuance, is worth precisely half as much again as tho vote of the citizen who asked the question. And Mr Hall knew it. Mr Hall tried to justify his advocacy of the undemocratic principle of one vote two values. But later on he was asked if ho favoured the decision of such questions as the abolition of the totalisator and the reform of the Legislative Council by bare majority at the referendum. He was stumped. He could only splutter and fence, because he knew he was in a j hole. Why on earth could he not face I tho question fairly as the straight, | frank and outspoken man he protends to be? On this question as well as on half a dozen others he showed him j self to be a. shufHer pure and simple. This was the first time [ had heard i him, and I went to the meeting very | favourably disposed towards him. In- ! deed. I have never had much time for tho Ward Government, and was quite prepared to give the Reform candidate my vote. But his shuffling disgusted me. At least I expect a man to have some principles and to stick to them, and if ho does that I for one am always prepared to sink minor differences. But not this time.—l am, etc., RUGBY STREET.

THE STAT? " AND THE BYELECTION. TO THE EDITOB. Sir,—The '' Star " draws a comparison between the candidates for the Christchurch North seat. "The one is a shrewd, earnest, convincing epeaker, full of fire and energy; the other never rises above a very moderate average." And that sounds well enough, bnt does it mean anything? A statement is none tho more truthful because it is shouted, and the ''Star" is cynical if it believes that the electors ask no more than the lusty manner, the sophistries of rhetoric, and the verbal excellences that a ma l .! who has been a lecturer is likely to possess. Policy and steadfast intent, the despised quality of moderation, and the knowledge of one's mind, make ample recompense for any lack or skill in the rather cheap business of elocutionary legerdemain. Else men would need 110 other qualification for politics than medals from Competition Societies. "We hear a good deal of the work that the society dames are doing for Mr Hall. If the society dames are working for the Conservative candidate they are entitled to every credit. It is welcome news that they are working at all." The " Star" has the gentlemanly instinct; but it lacks humour, as a dozen lines concerning the apple incident in Eden testify. Or perhaps it is a clumsy compliment-, and the intention is to suggest that Sfc Albans is Eden. In any case that folly may be passed and the innuendo dealt with. Obviously this friend of the professional rhetorician, tho politician of opportunity, would suggest that the ladies who assist Mr Hall are "society dames" in the worst sense of the word —that they are of the type Jehan Rictus condemned—that they are folk wearied of idleness, who would moisten the lips of suffering with the bitter waters of ostentatious charity, who would beat the drum on the bellies of tho poor. Those who work for Mr Hall are butterflies, "dainty, painted, powdered and guy " ; nothing more than seekers after a new sensation. While those who work for Mr lsitt are earnest, clear-minded women whose prayers go up to heaven amidst the dust of the household sweeping and the spume of the family wash-tub. The "Star," which loves the people (it says), attempts to raise up class strife by insulting a section of the community. Its success further than it intended, it. has insulted all the women of tho electorate, seme directly and others by its absurd idea that they can see no deeper than the "Star" can see itself. " Tho issues in the election are more or less primitive." Again the "Star" has stumbled 011 a fact. And it has hurt itself. The issues are the age-old issues—moderation and preference for the abiding ideals rather than the opportunities of the moment are set against loud clamour of promises and the egotism that alleges independence, meaning that it will not bind itself to the best.— 1 am, etc., A WOMAN ELECTOR. (Hush, madam; there is no grace in bitterness. —Ed. " Star.")

THE SECTARIAN ISSUE. TO THE KOI TOR. Sir. somewhat out of his depth, apart from the sectarian aspect raised, for which 1 fail to see why Mr 0. D. Hall is to blame; it was * a private meeting, though of a certain sect. But il he was not in favour of the candidate lie was quite at liberty to absent himself. I don't suppose his absence would have been noticed. Also, 1 fail to see what Mr Hall h.u' to answer for. li it was a privato meeting, he was present by vitiation. H as an Anglican, ask my I'ellotv-parLshioners to meet- a candidate at a meeting, I fail to see that lam raising a sectarian is ue. It's rather too narrow-minded. —T am. etc., W. BUTLER.