Very Rich, If—?

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7865, 6 July 1905, Page 2

Very Rich, If—?

(Manawatu Daily Times, July !■) In forty-eight. hours 1 could make, myself one of the most, popular men in the country ; ami a very rich man in four days from now were 1 to leave these shotes ; but 1 have nailed my colours to the mast. 1 will not, sell the 1 ruth to serve the hour, nor will I lower my colours one inch even though I could, be a very rich man it only 1 were to leave die shores of New Zealand. A very grave responsibility attaches to the author of the above statement. We have read ot Father Hays making similar remarks at previous meetings, but nothing quite so emphatic and explicit as this. Delivered to tlie audience as il was last night it was intended to convey—or at any rate it did convey—this* impression J, Father Hays, am a man of honour pursuing a mission with zeal anil sjngle-mindedness in the interests of humanity. ll' I were ■to depart front' the altitude 1 have taken up and to recant my professions of temperance I could make myself one of the most popular men in the country, and I could he a very rich man in four I days. 1 have been ofi'ereil a rich bribe by interested persons if 1 will only leave the shores of New Zealand, but I have nailed my colours ,lo lite mast, and I do not intend 1o sell the truth to serve the hour.

Now we, as a public journalist, call upon Father Hays, for the sake of his high reputation, and in the name of morality, to not only "nail his colours to the mast," but also lo place in the. public pillory the person or persons who ljavp promised lo make him a very rich man if |ic will onlv leave these shores. The statement so solemnly made cannot be an idle boast; it cannot he regarded as a mere declamatory eflort ; but it is a statement calculated, if allowed to remain in nebulous shape, to convey a damaging impression, and to reflect seriously on one of two sections of the community. The making of a statement of this kind involves a speaker in serious responsibility. For what purpose was it made? Is il a mere idle rumour ? Is it a child of the imagination? Is il a fact? Is it capable of proof Where is Hie proof ? If true, il is diabolical that an attempt should be made to bribe a priest. If true, it is intolerable that an attempt should be made to apply the gold gag lo a man of sacred calling, We say at once, and candidly, that we shall he perfectly satisfied with Father Hays' personal assurance in this maWcr. We don't even expect to drag (he iniquitous principals into the light of dav ; but we do expect him in making seriouscharges of (his kind to really and truly "nail his colours lo the mast " and be more candid, more explicit ■ leaving no loophole for either the sceptic or the scandalmonger.