IN REPLY TO MR FRED RUDKIN.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1919, Page 2

IN REPLY TO MR FRED RUDKIN.

(Per favour of the “ Guardian.”) Sir, —I have read your vituperative effusion in this evening’s issue of the Hokitika “ Guardian,” and note that the gravamen of my offence at Mr Seddon’s recent meeting of supporters was a plea for the maintenance and recognition of loyalty to ensure the safe and good government of the country. You appear to have put the cap on with readiness, and it seems to fit skull-tight. Y ou proceed to- say I was mean enough to cast an aspersion endeavouring to discredit the Labour candidate in the coming election, and you go on in your righteous (?) indignation to challenge me to prove that the charge (inferred) has even the suspicion of truth in it! Sir, there is such a word as “ sedition,” and sedition-is an offence against the State, next to treason. A person found guilty of seditious utterance and sentenced, could not be called “loyal.” I put it to you, if Mr Seddoni or Mr O’Brien had been an offender under the Crimes Act for an offence allied with sedition, would you consider either of them “ loyal,” and if so would you expect truly loyal people to send the disloyal to Parliament as a district representative The answer you supply to the set of circumstances is the reply to your challenge.—l am, etc., D. J. EVANS. P.S.—By thb way, Mr Rudkin, I fail to discover your name on the Westland Electoral Roll. Presumably, you have no voice in the election of the Member for Westland.