LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1390, 16 March 1912, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

$—-; THE LANDS DEPARTMENT. Sir,—"Fair play is bonnio play," but is it fair play tu iiit below the belt, or to hit a man who cannot retaliato? In a recent issue you published two letters, both anonymous, referring to the Lamls and Survey .Department, and especially referring to tho coming retirement of tiie Under-Secretary, tho appointment of his successor, and also more than hinting that appointments and promotions made during his tenure of office have been improper ones. In an article in your today's issue you refer to certain high officials as partisans of the Government, and intimate that you will have something more to say on the matter shortly. You arc, of course, aware that a Civil Servant is debarred by the rules of the service from replying. Doubtless, there are cases which you, as an editor, are justified in taking up in tho public interest, and tho person attacked, at least, knows from whenco tho attack comes, but in the caso of a letter published in your columns under cover of a nom do plume, the attack is a cowardly one, and specially, so if made on a Civil Servant who cannot reply. It is hitting below tho belt. And how common it is. Why do respectable papers publish anonymous, scurrilous letters which the editor would blush to publish as an editorial ? Ono of your correspondents advocates reverting to the old practice of appointing a surveyor as Under-Secretary. Hβ appears to be unaware that th» present Under-Secretary is a licensed surveyor. It is true that he has not been in the field for a good many years, but as Chief Draughtsman in so important an office as tho Auckland ono for a very long period, ho has been closely in touch with tho profession, and I know that ho has on exceptional grip on all survey questions. Other things being equal, I would certainly give the preference to a surveyor, and in Messrs. J. M'Kenzie and T. N. Brodrick thero are two Commissioners well qualified for the position, but at tho same time an experienced and capable chief clerk like Mr. O'Neill, working in conjunction with the Surveyor-Gen-eral, would be a good combination. One other point made by your correspondents is a comparison between ancient and modern appointments. I spent thirtyeight and a half years in the Department, and I say that the modern appointments, and the modern treatment of those appointed, will bear very favourable comparison with' the older day ones. Why did the Department lose tho services, years ago, of such men as Mr. G. M'lntyre. Captain Hewitt, Messrs. A. C. Mason, Littlejohn, Crombie,- and many others? Because of the want of encour-. aßoment and reward for meritorious service. Under whose regime have such m«n as T. N. Brodrick, H.'M. Skeet, H. J. Lowe, and many others (men who did splendid service with little hopo of reward) obtain recognition? Under that of tho retiring Under-Secretary. The Department will bo .lucky if they get as good a man to succeed-him.—l am, etc., J. W.DAVIS. Njaio, March 5. A RECENT. INQUEST. Sir,—Once again tho almost criminal neglect of tho present Government Is dragged into the light of day per medium of a coroner's inquest. Time and again the absurdity of sending men suffering from ■ delirium tremens to gaol has been pointed out, and now another victim calls for the ending of the system. Allow me to strongly protest against the holding of an inquest upon a prisoner without a jury. The prison regulations provide that the inquest shall bo held upon any confinee who dies, and it is in the highest interests of the community that ft jury should be empanelled. The inquest on Saturday brought from tho gaoler a protest against sending D.T. cases to gaol, and the doctor stated that though M'Carthy's case might have ended fatally even if ho had had immediate hospital treatment, still ho would not like his remarks to apply to all cases. In short, the doctor's opinion is against the present pending of alcoholic victims to gaol when no adequate means exist for their proper treatment. Tho sufferings of a D.T. patient are horrible, and it is o. wellknown fact that very careful treatment is required to avert permanent mental injury. In New South Wales such enjesare never sent to gaol, but aro treated as patients and human beings. The gaoler stated that when McCarthy was admitted he had another similar-case on hand, and ho was at his wit's end to know how to control two violent men. A peculiar feature, of Saturday's inquest was that Mr. Arnold, visiting justice, had almost to beg beforo he was permitted to put a question to the doctor. Mr. Arnold should have the right at such a time to cross-examine as he chooses, seeing the welfaTo of the prisoners is part of his official duties. A passage of arms took place between the coroner and Mr. Arnold before the latter was permitted to give evidence. It is up to the' Government to inquire into this and proves my contention that all such cases should •be tried before a jury in somo part of tho courthouse, and not in an upstairs room at the hospital. I would like to say that there was not the slightest evidence of neglect. Indeed, the highest praise is duo to the prison authorities for their treatment of the man.—l am, etc., HUMANITY. Lower Hutt, March 10. THE MEMBER FOR OTAKI. Sir, —As one who worked hard between the two ballots to secure the return of Mr. Robertson for tho Otaki constituency, I feel impelled to apologise to those of tho Reform party whom I influenced to vote for tho present member. Needless to say, I have been subjected to a good deal of criticism, and I must say I feel that I have deserved it. But what could I, a confirmed opponent of the Ward "Maladministration." do? On the ono hand there was Mr Field, an avowed aupporter of the Premier; on the other thero was Mr. Robertson, a staunch opponent, according to himself. After the first ballot, a large number of Opposition supporters of this district met and considered what to do under the circumstances, and, to their credit ho it said, a large number swallowed their imaginary opposition to Socialism and agreed to support Robertson, as ho was not a Government man.. As a result, I interviewed Mir. Robertson, and ho told me, in the presence of several witnesses, that I could definitely inform these, people that he was pledged to "oust" the present Administration. Has he done it? Of course he pretends to have had his eyes opened. Let me tell him that tho Otaki electorate has also had its eyes opened, and as Sir. Robertson will find out they have been opened wider than will be agreeable to him. I understand that one of the main planks of the Socialist Parliamentary platiorrn is the "Right of Recall." ■■ Though this is not tho law of t?io land, can Mr. Robertson ignore it. What is his duty? He was elected to deliver the "coup do grace" to an effoto party. Ho knows, as indeed everyone elfo does, that without thnt promise he would never have been returned. Ho received our support, but he has not delivered, nor docs he intend to deliver, the "goods." I liolicvo he was quite honest in his opposition, and even now he would be honoured throughout the electorate, if, finding himself'unablo conscientiously to discharge his pledges, he were to hand in his resignation and. recontest the seat. John Hutchosnn did so a few years ago in AVellingtDii, nml was rp-electel. ]f' Mr. Rolwrtson were io do the same thp proliability is that he would bo defeated, but ho would not bo disgraced, ljy resigning, he would have tho satisfaction of knowing that by all shades of political feeling ho would be regarded as an honourable man. Lot mo try to suppose a parallel caso. A clcirk seeking employment declares on his honour th.it he is a capabln accountant. At the very first (imo of trial his employer finds that ho is the opposite of what ho professed to be. Of course, lie, recognising his employer's power to discharge him, at onco resigns, as he 13 incapable of doing what he was engaged to do. Mir. Robertson—and here is whore the eases aro not parallel—knowing that, though ho will not do what ho was engaged to do, his employers cannot dischiirgo him, completely ignores Hie duty which plainly lies before him. Before closing this, let 1110 give a word of advico to our own parly. Let them select a strong .man. one who is n capable debater, to contest this seat nt the next election, and then thero will bo no shuffling, as thero has beo-i lately. The Opposition has only itself to blamerfor the present stato of affairs in the Otaki electorate, and should take tho loEson to heart. —T am, etc.. W. G. GIBBS. Glen Oroua. March 6.