PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13432, 10 March 1917, Page 3

PUBLIC OPINION

A« txpressed by correspondents, whose letters are welcome, but for whose views we have no responsibility. EXEMPTION OF CLERGY. -—/ (To the Editor.) Sir, —Being a stranger to your 'district, I naturally looked to your paper to supply me with current topics, and must compliment your management on the excellence of your journal for its up-to-date methods and news. In your correspondence columns I note the vexed question of the exemption of the clergy has been taken up here as in otner towns, but the letter from Dean Darby struck me as being a new departure in replying to correspondents through your columns. If he considered that "Fair Field no Favour" merited a reply, surely it would have been more in keeping with his dignity to ha\e> stwek to the question raised, inste&vt wf hurling abuse at the writer and leaving tbe main issue out of consideration. While he censured your journal fop publishing "Fair Field's" letter, tie scut along a scathing condemnation of "Fair Field," and expects you to publish his letter without question. Such an endeavour appears to me as a glaring attempt to gag the press of this country to suit the individual and his own ends. The, press has always stood for freedom and fair play, and its columns have been open ;t.o all parties to express their opinions so long as they were confined to proper ;Ujßi*% ; but the.altempt of the Dean to | lessen the scope of its- usefulness fs, to say the least, astounding. In endeavouring to iiold "Fair Field" up to ridicule it has rebounded on.the Dean, and fte fact of his ignoring the question raised and abusing the writer makes me think thai "Fair Play" caught him on a very raw spot. In any case the Dean must have found "Fair Field's" arguments only too true, as he lias made.no pretence of answering them. The Dean's reference to the burlesque of a man in a hog's skin is petty in the extrerae, v and not the class of remark one might expect from a person holding a responsible position in the community. However, for the Dean's information, I may state that men use strange and mysterious ways of hiding their true identity and character, even to changing the cut of their clothes and adopting more sombre hues. In conclusion, the Dean takes unto himself the right to dictate to the press and publicly insult your > correspondents; but surely if he has such an exalted idea of his own ability and importance, such ability could, by careful training and wise guidance, be directed into more useful channels.—l am, etc., VISITOR.