CORRESPONDENCE.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43382, 6 October 1908, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We are not responsible for the opinion expressed by our correspondents.)

To the Editor.

Sir, — I was much interested in your able article entitled “ Anonymous Hoodlums and Literary Larrikins. ” My one regret was that you did not refer specifically to their nom-de-plumes, as although we all know to whom yon refer, these gentlemen have, in your own words, a hide like the rhinoceros, and will probably be sublimely ignorant of the fact. While we cannot help condoling with you that you are inflicted with a qlague of fools in Te Aroha. we are inclined to envy you in your possession of such a man as Captain Lyons-Montgomery. In the law of compensation it is only right tbalfc you should possesshimas a set-off against theee. No doubt there are other worthy , residents of Te Aroha, but if their-apathy j prevents them from coming forward to support him, their influence is at a dis- ' count, and their sens-* of duty as well a justice is apparently dull. It would appear that enthusiam is about the rarest attribute of our present day civilization, and this more than any other, points to our progress being on the decline. Capt. Lyon-Montgomery has enthusiam, and when I say that he has the true spirit of a soldier in its best sence, I can give him no higher praise. What is more noble than the spirit of the Knights of old—“ To raise the weak, to succour the defenceless, to right the wrong ? ” Capt. LyonsMontgomery has come forward in this spirit, perfectly disinter sstedly and ; unselfishly, and with a rare sense of ( justice, “ To right the wrong and succour the defenceless, ’’and he has been subjected | to the attacks of a horde of hornets . whose motives are so base that they are incapable of understanding anything higher, while the rest of the good people of Te Aroha ( with the exception of your paper and two ladies ) have sat down with their hands folded, in the dish >norable role of neutrality. It was this . Spirit that brought down our Lord’s j utmost contempt 2000 years ago, when He said—“ Because thou art neither . hot nor cold, I will spue thee out of my mouth. ” —I am, Sir, etc. M. Lavinqton Glyde. L S W. Auckland, October,2 1908.

To the Editor.

Sir, —I read with much interest the letter from Irish Catholic, I should like to see some more letters from that gentleman. No doubt, sir, he is well acquainted with the Temperance movement, which is taking place in Ireland at this present time. This is even a greater movement than Father Matthews’ and for this (reason all religious denominations are taking part in it. The most violently opposed publicans sink tbeir differences to fight wbat they call the curse of the country. Mr John Eedmond in speaking on the question in the great meeting held in Dublin recently, where delegates from all over Ireland attended, told them some of his experience when he started to speak against the liquor traffic, He was waited on by a deputation of publicans, who told him if he did not stop speaking against the Liquor Traffic they would ruin his fiolitical career, but like every true eader of men his answer was, “ I would rather be blotted out for ever as a public man than hold my tongue on this question.” He went further for he said, “ Ireland, sober Ireland, free !” The Catholic Church is doing a great work in Ireland, because they can seethe misery and degradation caused by drink. —I am, etc,,

No-License. MISS MICHAEL’S DISMISSAL, _ dun . To the Editor. Sir. —In connection with Miss Michael’s case the Auckland Women’s Political League entirely agrees with Captain Lyons-Montgomery that the young lady has not beex treated fairly, as she should certainly have been told when appointed that her services would only be required for six months. The League has petitioned the Minister to reconsider the matter, and trusts that its actiou 'n conjunction with Captain Mohtgc mery’s efforts may lead to Miss Michael being reinstated, in which case we would earnestly advise her to pass the Civil Service Examination and so qualiry for a position on the permanent staff.

It is very refreshing to find a man championing the woman’s cause so vigorously, and the women of Te Aroha ought to be thankful to know they have such a champion Capt. Montgomery. That is only a recent arrival in Te Aroha is certainly no reason why he should allow what he considered to be an injustice pass without a protest, and possibly his action may have the effect of teaching some of the older residents their dnty.—lam, ete, E. Gibson, Hon. Sec., Auckland Women’s Political League.