MR DOWNIE STEWART’S ADDRESS.

Evening Star, Issue 22144, 26 September 1935, Page 7

MR DOWNIE STEWART’S ADDRESS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—lt seems rather difficult for me to gather sufficient reasons to know how you arrive at a just verdict after either reading or listening to the message delivered bv Mr W. Downie Stewart, member for Dunedin West, except it bd that for many years you have both partaken of the same fruit from the same political tree, thus both of you developing the same likes and dislikes. How an impartial elector can endorse the conclusions of the member for Dunedin West is far beyond my power to grasp. He pleads for general support for the present Government, yet does not hesitate to state that our present Prime Minister is too slow, and that our present Minister of Finance is too fast. The Labour Party, he says, is too extreme, the Democrat Party too narrow, and tho only safe course lies in the middle course. He therefore takes upon himself the responsibility of marching beneath the independent flag of Nationalism, not knowing from where he is coming or where he is going, his only cry being, fall in and Follow me, neither looking to the right, nor yet to the left, take the narrowway the only safe way amongst the dark clouds of depression. This, you state, is a just verdict. The member for Dunedin West has arrived at the conclusion tiiat we cannot hope for world recovery or a return of prosperity until the currencies of the nations are stabilised. The member fails to make it clear how the currencies of the various nations can be stabilised in a system of world competition. He desires that we should not doubt,- but live in hopes, and that all will be well if we can only stabilise the currencies. In conclusion, all that I can state is

that a patient, long-suffering community, when given an opportunity, Will fail to endorse your opinion that the member for Dunedin West is entitled to a just verdict. I am, etc., R. Harrison. September 25. [Our heading, “ A Just Verdict ” —■ obviously, as we thought—referred to Mr Stewart’s opinion of the Government and its difficulties.—Ed. E.S.]