AN EXPLANATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 112, 19 August 1910, Page 7

AN EXPLANATION.

To the Editor. Sir,—My attention has been called to your "own correspondent's" "Political News and 'Notes," referring to my speech in the Legislative Council on the second reading of the Destitute Persons Bill. Not only are the remarks in bad taste, even if emanating from an ordinary newspaper correspondent, but they are unfriendly, and evidently intended to belittle me in the minds of your readers. Every member of the Legislature owes it to the public that he should, regardless of personal inconveniences, express himself fully and fearlessly on all matters of public importance, and not be deferred by dread of adverse, hostile or even spiteful criticism or gibes. Your correspondent may be expressing his own views, or only those which lie thinks it is his interest to express, or his views may be discolored by spite and ill-will, or may be valueless because of his want of knowledge of the subject, or lack of intelligence. It is material, however, I think, that his readers should know the fact that he is, like myself, a member of the Council, and that he 'had an opportunity, of which he did not avail himself, of expressing his views there to my face, instead of behind my back and anonymously in the columns of your paper I am, etc., OLIVER SAMUEL. Wellington, 16tli August, 1010.