THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XII, Issue 1717, 26 May 1886, Page 2

THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

(to the editor daily, standard.} I Sir,— As: a' Ratepayer, " -Froothinker, land Infidel, I protest against the resolution passed yesterday by the juibrary Committal?.. They will not; allow the Rationalist, \Liberator, New Zealand Watchman^ -Tablet, . Church Chronicls, or War Qry 'to 'tie' read m" the Public Reading Room. ' Why shduld they put a bun and excommunicate this portion of the press? These are papers sanctioned by the Government of this country, and, I believe, may be circulat- ' elf' m any part of the British Empire or America. This public reproof and arbitary act is an insult to every sub* scriher and reader, and is an outrage and injustice to all ths oditors and suppotters of those papers. At the instigation and influence of a priest tliis has been done. Will not the people of Pal.tueratou North and the whole surround < iug. districts show their disapprobation and opposition to this Star Chamber and Inquisition; tactics? The priests have ever been afraid the people shall read^ and criticise- their religion or poljt|cßj .. They are very jealous of their prdfessTo'ri'.— iQnly one daj's work, and ' vix- holidays, each week throughout the year ; whilst the masses of the people toil and labibr six days jof; the ; week, often infringing the seventh^ and this with care and anxiety, sir "as to "be honest and independent. , 'Shall the influence of the priest contitiue to affect our public Institution ? I will ever pro- . test against the public ban and excoin munication being put on this portion of the "press of-New Zealand, and will use every%wfiit and peacoable. means to-do away .with pttblic wrong and injustice. Whether Christian or Infidel, they ought to come forward and show their disapproval of the £>riestly influence. It is for the " freedom of the press;" the privilege of ; men and- vvoinei), ; and " liberty," that we should seek ; and we mupt all help .nnd agitate m order, to .obtain the redress of a grievous' act of tyranny, and a most iniqutous and arbitrary use. of, power by the Library Committee —Yours, etc., Thomas Hall.