DUTIES ON NECESSARIES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 85, 7 October 1895, Page 2

DUTIES ON NECESSARIES.

TO THE EDITOR OV THE STAR. Sir, —" Colonist," in his letter under this heading, published in this evening's Star, in speaking of anonymous letter writers, says " A number of writers are not distinguished by modesty who sign their names to their letters, but like to see their names in print, under articles very often taken from books or other letter writers with the object of making these articles appear as their own." Now, sir, if the sentiments expressed in this paragraph are intended to apply to me I beg leave to repudiate the chargo with scorn and contempt, but whether the paragraph is intended to apply to myself or not, it is a cowardly and unjustifiable attack, incapable of proof, ui'on persons -who are nnable to defend themselves and this from a man who, in the same letter, justifies anonymous letters, " if," as he says they are, ' neither personally vindictive nor libellons." I venture to say there are not many persons in the colony, nor for that matter in England either, who are better qualified than I am, in these days, to speak from personal knowledge or recollection of the commencement, progress, ami ultimate success of that wonderful and world-renowned agitation in England, which established Freetrade in that country during the first half of the prescnf century, now drawing to a close. "Colonist" completely shirks any reference to the main object of my letter which you published on Monday last, viz., the desirability of taking steps towards impressing upon the minds of the people by public agitation and discussion their unjust treatment under so called Protection, and I am confident that whatever "Colonist" may say to the contrary, anonymous letters cannot be of the slightest use in effecting that object. " Colonist's" reference to Sir Walter Scott, who commenced the "Waverley Novels " (but not, as|" Colonist" seems to suppose, his literary career), as an anonymous writer (which under special circumstances be was fully justified in doing) has nothing whatever to do with this discussion. Sir Walter's conduct oDly excited public curiosity, whereas anonymous letters exposing public abuses excite public intere t, and the writers should be at call on demand. I am, etc., S4.ML. GOODBEHERK. Feilding, October sth, 1895.