Our Letter Box.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7877, 20 July 1905, Page 2

Our Letter Box.

(We are not responsible fur opinions expressed by correspondents.) MR BEDFORD'S ADDRESS TO THE YOUNG MEN'S LITERARY SOCIETY. (To the Editor.} Sir—Your unworthy comments aueni the above in this morning's issue of your paper arc as wide of live mark as thev are unjust to our society. There was no "ulterior molive lurking behind the invitation" to Mr Bedford. As lie publicly stated at. the beginning of his address lie was invited as a young man lo speak to young men and endeavour to arouse in them an interest in the politics of the colony. Of the "possible candidature of a nominee of the 'No-License' party" our society had absolutely no knowledge, nor has it yet any knowledge of a nominee from that parly. In fact, to show you Hie utter absurdity and ill-nature of your remarks, it happens that, Uie idea of inviting Mr Bedford-was first mooted by a member of our society who was the keenest critic of the "No-License" movement when that question Was under discussion at a recent meeting of the scoiety. The "battery" you evidently so much fear, therefore, does not exist, and so you need fear no "possible danger." That Mr Bedford's speech has hurt your feelings is very apparent from your leader, but we may surely hope that in future you will iie able to control them better, lest "the accident of a moment may shatter .something to infinitessimal fractions." In conclusion, I may state that the Young Men's Literary Society is In no way connected with party politics, and that as far as politics are concerned our membership consists of all and sundry.—l am, etc., W, BIGELOW, Hon. Secretary, Young Men's Literary Society, July 19, 190Sj (Whether or not our comments upon Mr Bedford's address arc deemed "unworthy" by Mr W. Bigclow Is an indifferent matter to us. When, however, any political juvenile, such as Mr Bedford is at present, abuses the Premier, whom we regard as a better man than Mr Bedford ever will be, wo shall defend him. The reference in the article as to the invitation to Mr Bedford is sufficiently answered by our correspondent. Appearances pointed the other way.— Ed.)