OUR LETTER BOX.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 184, 9 August 1904, Page 2

OUR LETTER BOX.

(We aro not responsible for the opinions expressed by correspond- I ents.-Ed.) THE OPPOSITION AND THE TEMPERANCE PARTY. Wo have been asked to re-prirot the following letter, which appeared in the N.Z. Times.. (To tho Editor.) Sir,—As you have used my namo freely lai your kinder of this morniin(g, you will, I ain sure, permit me to reply as briefly as I can. On Friday last, tho day before the Premier sprang upon mo his l uncxpeted question, I happened to meet tho Attor-ney-General, andi we drifted into conversation on the subject of Parliamentary olectkms. I then told him in effect all that I have ever said to Mr Massey as to our determination to run candidates of our own if neither of the political parties bring forward a man in any given electorate whom we can trust and who will leave to tho people an unfettered decision as to the existence or suppression of the llftuor traffic. I have said the same thing to many members on both Bides of the House, but have neither tho power nor the will to make a compact with any leader. The executive of the Alliance has no such power, much less its secretary, but they know that tho mind of the party is made up ; that it knows its power, has been learning it for/years, and is determined to use it except in cases where it is disunited by tho enndi-tui-c of men who comply with its democratic and righteous demand. Though Mr Massey perfectly understands our position!, it is absolutely untrue that any compact or -agreement has tiaoa entered into with him and thoiajbßui-dity of the suggestion is to bo seen in the fact that there are more members who give a general support to the Governmeke and pledge themselves to ourj programme than are 'to be found dpimg so on the other side of tho House. Mrl Massey knows well that where there is no Government candidate of character who will support our demands we must support an Opposition cadidate who meets our views, and the Government know that if the ]K>»ition be reversod their candidate will receive our support. In every cufle our friends in each electorate reserve the right to select a candidate from their own ranks. When the people's right to settle the: licensing question for themselves is recognised and acknowledged by alt candidates, tthe (Itiestions of character, «|bilHy and political opinions can bo allowed to determine the elect/ions. Until this right is admitted and legislated for, wo shall do our utmost to secure the election of men of character pledged to promote our wishes. There We many other mutters dealt wiUi in your article that would be easily disposed of. but my purpose, is to make it impossible for any politician to mislake the attitude, we adopt towards both political parties.—l am, etc., FRANK W. ISITT, Sec. N.Z. Alliance. August 2nd.