AN ENTHUSIASTIC CONVERT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9083, 25 February 1908, Page 2

AN ENTHUSIASTIC CONVERT.

SIR,—My attention being drawn to a speech by Mr R. Monk at Mr Massey’s party on Saturday last, I can scarcely find words sufficient to congratulate that gentleman on the manly way he explained matters to the fair ladies present. I [.don't remember all the time I have read your valuable paper for this last three years or more that I ever was so delighted. Hence my writing these few lines. Now, Mr Editor, I have voted for the Government for over 40 years, with the exception of once, and that was when I came over from Canterbury five years ago. I "then knew nobody, and it happened to he at the election time, so T voted for Mr Lethbridge, as I was told he was a very good. man. I have made up my mind that I never, never will vote again for the present Ministry, and there are IB of my family who have votes, and I have every reason to think they will follow their old dad. Now, I was talking to Mr Bowater and another gentleman of jPeilding in reference to Sir J. Ward, and we all agreed that he is not the right person to hold the reins of this colony. It is new blood we want, and it behoves Mr Massey and his followers to pnt their shoulders to the wheel and let Sir J. Ward and his mates take a team of horses and double plough, and go into a paddock and earn their butter and bread, like many of ns had to do. They then would find a difference from flying about the country with their wives and daughters at the expense of the public money. In fact, lam quite sensible of the doings they are guilty of. Now, for instance, the gaming laws at the twelfth hour of the session, the most glaring of all to take away the right of their fellow man from using their own discretion re Tattersall’s sweeps and leaving the totalisator to remain, and also giving the jockey clubs the right to give permits to the hookies, which is enough to gall the hearts of the electors. This is the first letter I ever wrote to a newspaper in my life. I feel so overjoyed at Mr Monk’s gallant way he spoke I could not let it pass over without letting you .know that there are people who are not altogether blind to the way things are going. The fact is we are drifting as fast as the tide will let us towards the doings of that cursed Russia, and I hope and trust that you will put your gigantic force to the work we desire. Now, Mr Editor, it was never known that a Bishop ever voted in the British Parliament for the benefit of the working man, and I maintain that a person who takes a knighthood is no more good to the toiler, and that you will find that as long as Sir Joseph has the reins the poorer we shall become. After bringing up a large family we then see legislation brought to hear to take away from us what we have perfect right to. Yon see Mr Massey and shake him up, and don’t let the bull-dogs get ahead. Excuse me for troubling yon with this note, for I feel ten years younger this morning after reading Mr Monk’s views.—l am, etc., W. H. HARTLEY. Makowhai, February 20th, 1908.