LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1164, 27 June 1911, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

♦ MR, ATKINSON'S CANDIDATURE. Sir,—ln common with many other reformers, I regret to have noticed lately that Mr. A. R. Atkinson intends to be a candidate for Wellington East again. I have no sort of objection to Mr. Atkinson personally. Able, well-educated, fcariess, and "straight," he is distinctly a man .who ought to he in the House, and the sooner he gets thero the better for the country. I did everything in my power to help him at the last election, and I recognise that as a previous candidate for the, seat he has a strong claim to receive the party's nomination next November. Yet, if lie stands for that se.it then I feel hot only that I will do nothing for him, but that I will work ajainst him in every way. And my reason is simply this. From a considerable knowledge of the East electorate, I ar> convinced that he has no chance whatever of success.' As in 1905, he will have against liini the "Trade" and thick-and-thin Government vote, and a good 'sprinkling of moderate Temperance people, who, with a. sincerity equal to his oivn, hold, rightly or wrongly, that, the extreme views on the question put for.'tard by him tend to impede the growth of the Teniperanco movement. The only possible effect of Mr. Atkinson's candidature' will bo, I am sorry to say, to imperil the chance of Dr. Newman reaching the second ballot, and assured ultimate success.

My regret at Mr. Atkinson's idea is not lessened by the fact that there is a neighbouring constituency where he would not only.be'welcomed with acclamation/but would have an excellent prospect of success. I moan tho Hutt. Prohibition" feeling there has grown steadily since 1900, and Mr. Wilford's hold on the electorate has sensibly, in more ways than one, weakened. To finally v;rest that seat from tho continuous and much-titled Ministry would be triumphs awaiting the Reform party next November.

I ask Mr. Atkinson to give these views his careful consideration, and to believe, as is tho case, that they are not inspired by any dislike to him, but solely by the desire that the IMorm force* shall be utilised to the best advimtage. There arc times when laudable, personal ambition should yield to the greater claims of party loyalty, and this is one of those tiinef.—l am, etc., REFORMER.

"KNIGHTHOODS," Sir,—We read flay after day of people's disapproval of certain people accepting "Knighthoods," but we do not read of their di.-gust at their accepting "university dogrcrs" that' they hnvc absolutely no right to. One. need not be an educated or brainy man lo obtain the former. In fact, at the present lime, they seem to bo given away for nothing. But university honours should be bestowed upon those only who work for them, by using their brains, and income (very often a limited one), and years of study to obtain them. Let the man who hankers for a "sir" to his name have it; but keep the university honours for those who work for them. I have in my mind at' the present time, a rich uneducated man who grovelled for a "sir." He obtained it; also "honours." Yet he used to mention to his visitors how smart "Hamy" and "llalicc" were. 1 am sure nil must admire Andrew Fisher, the Prime Minister of Victoria, for his refusal of these. Jlo is not an educated man, but did not overlook that fact, like some.—l am, etc., M. WATSON.