REPLY TO MR KEIR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1905, 30 July 1888, Page 3

REPLY TO MR KEIR.

TO IKB EDITOR, Btt,— l have again to ask you (or epace In yoor valuable journal to answer two naestlonß put to me by your correspondent, Me Keir, whose letter appeared m your Jißoe of the 25th in»t. His first question Is : Is freetnds theoretically right but practically wrong 1 My »nswer is that In my opinion freetrade Is theoiilcally right It is bnt a theory, which never dm been and never can be worked out m prutlce. ' Then his second question Is ; If protection against English and American goods Is a good thing for New Zealand, would not proteotlon for Canterbury against the goods of Otago, Wellington, and Auckland, be a good thing for Canttsbuiy ? This question I have already Answered ; that tbera is only one Customs department m New Zealand and therefore oould not protect one locality against another. . Your correspondent, Mr Jteit, will notice that I am atill willing to answer any reasonable questions, bat I mast say that I do not think it either wise or gentlemanly of him, when he cannot find arguments to refute my answers, to make nasty insinuations snob as "if Mr Bellbouse meant that answer seriously, the leagae should have their Secretary's medical adviser oalied mat once". I chink Mr Keir has yet to lesrn that abuse and rldioaia are not convincing argements. I am, eta, D. BB&&HOUSB, Obtbtoharoh, July 28, 1888.