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Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3111, 31 January 1871, Page 2

TO THE EDITOR OF THE INDEPENDENT. Sib, — Admiring, as I , do, your spirit of honest impartiality in removing from the public mind a stigma which, if allowed to go uncoil tradicbed, would have brought down contempt from the New Zealand press generally, and on the " Advertiser" in pirticular, through the assertions of that orgun of personal spite and malice— the " Evening 'Post" —with reference to your morning contemporary being influenced in its recent conduct by the " almighty dollar" in its advocacy of the views of Messrs. Hunter and Pearce. I trust you will allow me to encroach upon your space for the enlightenment of that master of elocution, Mr Travers, whose capabilities as a special pleader and clever quibbler ure only to be excelled by that filthy adornment to his oratorical powers, with which his concluding remarks on the •' convenient use" of the " Advertiser" were summed up. The choice remark, though unGt for publication, save in the " Post," raised a laugh from those who, with Mr Travers, thought it a "decided hit" in securing the " modest" man's return, while it was received with diegust by those who had the pain of listening to hid attempts to cram his "gentlemanly language" down their, throats, against the stomachs of their common sense. In the course of the exhibition Mr Travers made of himself, he took occasion to produce in support of the cause he advocated the opinions held by the " Advertiser" in September last, to the effect that the present Ministry was unfit to conduct the affairs of the country, and compared those opinions with the toue of the '"Advertiser," now. that Messrs Hunter and Pearce were in the field as candidates supporting the Government measures. The inconsistency seems unquestionable, but in order that poli tical capital might not be made out of this " turncoatism," I feel in justice bound to the electors to ask you to insert my explanation for what it is worth.

At the time the article Mr Trovers referred to, condemning the Government proposals, was published, I had the fortune or misfortune to be one of the proprietors of the " Advertiser." Against the expressed wish of those who occupy the position I then held, I insisted on the article in question being inserted. I was told that my notions were erroneous, and not in unison with those of the general public, who, having recovered the shock that the borrowing scheme produced at first were, after having had time to consider the matter calmly and logically now for the most part in favor of the present Ministry's proposals to construct publio works, &o. Shortly afterwards an offdr was was made to buy my interest in the business, which I accepted, nnd the present proprietors, uninfluenced by the " mighty do'lar," and in consistency with the views they held when they had not the discretionary power to publish them, spoke and wrote as they have done in favor of Messrs Hunter and Pearce. I write the above in fairness to those with whom I am at variance, and trusting you will insert this lettrr, though my views are not in accordance with yours or the " Advertiser's." — £ am, &o, Alfbed 0. Pratt.