LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 21, 4 June 1908, Page 5

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

THE POET, THE STATESMAN, AND THE • WjARRiOFI.' . Sir, —The Victoria College Debating Society has been discussing tlio question which most deserves tho esteem of mankind —the poet, the statesman, or tlio warrior? A question of this kind is now the monopoly of debating societies, yet thero was a timo when tho world's greatest intellects did not disdain it. Machiavclli wrote; "Among all men who aro praised, the most praised aro those who have been chiefs and founders of religions. After these come those who have founded republics' and kingdoms. Next aro celebrated those commanders of armies who have extended their own or their countries' dominion. After those we' may mention men of And'elsewhere: "No men are so exalted in their activity as those who havo reformed republics and kingdoms with laws and institutions; they 1 are, after such as liavo been deemed gods (i.e., founders of religipns), the most honoured. Heaven gives a man no greater gift than to found a policy, nor can ho be shown a moro glorious path than this." And Guicciardini said: "To reform a disordered city in an honourable manner is rather a divino than a human work."—l am. etc., DELTA. June 1. ,

THE SEDDON STATUE. Sir, —It appears that the country is to be put to a further expense in respect of a statue to the lato Premier. After the unjustifiable expenso already incurred, I think wo might have been spared any further outlay of public money. I do not object to anything rcasonablo in tho matter of suitably commemorating any really important event in which all aro equally interested and for which all have duo respect. But I do protest against this waste of public money in tho name of tho wholo population, when it is well known that a very considerable number would readily oppose it if they wore given the opportunity. I prcsumo this will come out of "unauthorised expenditure," that, I take it, •is generally understood to _ meet necessitous cases'of great emergency, in which category this cannot possibly bo included. Had that statue been erected at the cost of his admirers alone, no fault could havo been found, as it is always allowable for British subjects'to'follow any leader, or to worship any popular idol they'may profor. A public funeral, a special picce of ground, a considorablo amount, of unnecessary expenditure and fuss, ono would have thought quite enough to satisfy roasonahlo requirements, but to mako a' further domand on the public purse affords good grounds for strong protest. : "Wero ho the purest, noblost, wisest, and best Premier the world has ever seen, there might havo been somo excuse for such lavish expenditure. Wo havo a statue of Mr. Ballanco. Now we'aro to havo ono of Mr. Seddon. Are these 'the only two notable men the country'has ever had? By no means. Where, I ask, is the costly statue erected largely at the public expense to Sir John Hall; who has left, an onormous sum to bo hold in trust for charitable purposes, who was mainly instrumental, in securing female franchise, etc., or wliero is the statue to the late Sir Harry Atkinson, who spent his life in tho public service? Did lie not in tho early days raise, drill, and take tho field with a body of men to defend the hearths and honies of tho people in Taranaki ? What was his reward? Nothing, absolutely nothing. I am aware that ho was entitled to a certain area of land in payment for such services, but ho did not, as others havo since, "accept it in the spirit it was given." No, he declined it, alleging that any ono who in such emergency would not defond his country without pay or hopo of reward was no truo patriot.

Further, at a 'time when tho country was in a state of depression, vorging on .repudiation, ho took moasures to rcstoro confidence. Whilo it was necessary to roduco expenditure, lie did not exclude himself nor his colleagues and bring about tho restoration by shedding other people's blood. Ho reduced his own salary as a first step, and brought down ,tho Estimates by ■ something liko £300,000. That was to restoro and strengthen tho finances, which, at that time, really needed itl Tho strong financo of later times has been brought about by unlimited ' borrowing. Never mind tho debt; future generations will have to bear the burden, and probably curco tho thriftlossnoss of. a so-called selfreliant Government which' built it up and passed it on as a birthright. Are those things, not -to specially refer to innumerable laws that could only stand a winter's frost. before being in need of repairs, matters to justify such exceptional expenditure, whilo truer and nobler patriots are allowed to pas 3 unrecognised? Sir I repeat my protest, oven ,if I am tho only one in the country to do so.—l am etc ' ' May 30, HOP. . ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

'? r >, May I, on behalf of my committco and the sailors 111 and visiting tho Port of ■Wellington, return thanks for tho ma."y courtesies received during tho past year from tho Press, and tho assistance, "both monetary and by donations, from tho public ,of-Wel-lington, towards relieving the hardships of these hardworking, and often destitute, men. Special thanks arc due to those ladies and gentlemen who have devoted their time and • talent towards amusing them each Monday evening with, musical entertainments; also those who havo so kindly answered my appeals for help' at the times' of great stress, owing to shipwrecks, etc... During tho year tho '-'Rest" has been the means (owing to the generosity of- the public of Wellington) to nilcviato tho distress of' shipwrecked sailors of the barouo' Woollahra (wrecked off Caps Terawhiti), by which fourteen practically naked men were placed in a position of comparative comfort; the'survivors of tho Emma Sims; the barquentine Katrin, wrecked on tho Crozets; ; and many other needy cases.. To show the popularity of this institution' amongst the seafaring men, no fewer than 19,335 havo visited tho building and the correspondence (not- counting telegrams and newspapers) returned and forwarded wero: Received, 7206: delivered. 7118. ' . ' ■ I would also return thanks to those who havo so kindly contributed literature (by which moans I have beeh onabled to supply the vessels leaving tliejiort, especially to far-away islands in tho Polynesian Group, tho lighthouses, and deep-sea vessels of all descriptions, irrespective of the coastal boats). The donations of .clothing, boots, etc., have been thankfully received and distributed with-tact. I may also ask the donors to, and friends of, the "Rest" to join mo in appreciating tho valuable assistanco rendered by Mrs. Wearn in assisting mo to carry on my duties. As there is every appearance of a hard winter before us, may I ask that there will bo no diminution of your past favours?—l am, etc.,. J. W. WEARN, Superintendent Sailors' Rest, Customhouse Quay. .

LITERARY AND DEBATING SOCIETY . $ •

Tho weekly meeting of tlio Vivian Street Baptist Literary and Debating Society was held on Tuesday night. Tho attendance was good. Tho evening was devoted to speeches with iiotes, Miss Johnson speaking on "Common Sense," Mr. Young on "Itccreation,"' and Mr. A. J. Humphreys' on "Pcrsovoranco." The speeches wore well criticised by tho mooting, and a pleasant evening was spent. Next week the subject will bo a debato on "Is tlio City of Wellington a credit to hor citizens?"