WORTH A MONUMENT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1216, 26 August 1911, Page 14

WORTH A MONUMENT.

Sir,—lt is with profound satisfaction that I learn through the medium of your columns of the intended civic reception to he accorded our venerated J'rimo .Minister and his distinguished colleague and henchman, or shall 1 say "Fidus Achates" ? v ■ When their respective performances in the public interest aro enumerated and reviewed with a calm reflective interest, tlio littleness of the means and the inadequacy of tho measure (a civic function) that"wo aro taking to convey to their minds our appreciation of their arduous services . and benefits conferred on the community border on tho ludicrous. A Minister whose- genius for high finance is only equalled by his noble and disinterested patriotic generosity; whose far-sighted and self-sacrificing high Imperialism is combined with a devotion to the interests of the workers, and a transcendant loyalty to the doctrines and tenets of a high democracy deserves at least from our hands and hearts something to show that wo at least consider that tho acquirement of a paltry baronetcy but a mean and inadequate reward for such eminent services as thoso which he has rendered the Empire. And if this is so with lespect to Sir J. Ward, what, oh what, and how about the "Fidus Achates"? Uninstructed by the people, unacknowledged by any constituency, but voluntarily and propelled by a mighty altrnism, combined with culture, animated with a Christ-like huraanitarianism, he has forced himself to the front place in contemporary politics for the purpose of saving tho people from themselves and bringing them out of darkness and misery into tho warm light of security and positive happiness—that childlike dependence on the fostering care of State officialdom and enthusiastic acceptance of all the requirements that are based.on tho im'iuutablo and impeccable science of eugenics will ensure to ailwhen they have removed from them those' enveloping encumbrances so antiquated as the Habeas Corpus Act, the Magna Charta, trial bv jury—which arc inimical to truo human progress and the Niotschean gospel. ' How then, Sir, shall wo rentier the honour due to these noble, self-sacrificing patriots? May I humbly make a suggestion? Let each man, woman, and child be compelled by Order-in-Council to contribute tuppence! The accumulated tuppennies to be expended in buying and erecting .on, sav, Ripa Island,' a colossal statute of tho two, and engraved underneath in large letters the motto, "Alono we did it." '■■ .'_'.., This, in conjunction with a sufficiently fulsome adoration at tho'civic function, would, Mr. Editor, bo some slight, though not commensurate, recognition from the community of the gratitude, love, and respect these loaders of tho world s thought and progress have inspired in the hearts of New Zealanders. I would add more suggestions, but— [ TIB SAPIT QUI PANCA LOQTJITOR.