HOME RULE.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1916, Page 3

HOME RULE.

To the Editor. Sird—ln regard to the eorresfor.dencc about Home Rule, Mr. Taylor is the most prominent in making statements and failing to prove them. In his first letter he gave a sermon about the purpose of existing and honesty, and now lie attributes the cause «if all Irish troubles to priest-craft. Mr. Taylor, in his first letter, was sure that "in honest man is the Icing of men," and in Ms second letter lie runs down the priest, who shows his honesty in guiding the pulpit in the path Which he, thinks is the honest ou'e, and consequently should be recognised by Mr. Taylor as "the king of men.'' But it seems Mr. Taylor understands honesty not in the light of the moral conception of one's conscience. God k'nows what kind >f conception of honesty Mr. Taylor advocates. Honesty could he explained in a passive and in an active form. >"o\v, for not doing anything dishonest, one may he recognised in the next world as "a king of men,'' hut not in this present world, where might is right, wealth reigns supreme and honesty and religion are still a paradox, being explained in different churches and different- schools in different ways. An honest man will sooner be a "king of snorcrs" than a "king of men," for the simple reason that by not doing anything he doesn't receive anything in return. Honesty as an active factor could be only explained by one's bwn conception, and by doing so one may' be recognised as dishonest according' to the conception of Mr. Taylor. My conception of honesty is based on the logical conclusions of the greatest expounders of political economy. Mr. Taylor los' the reigns of being "king of men" by making a dishonest statement, namely,' that Ireland >.s unhappy because the priest blocks the path of -progress by .'-putting his finger in every pie. Anyone who has a slight knowledge of the history of any suppressed nation knows that the cause of national degeneracy is the economic condition, not religion'and ■priest-craft, 'because religion is only a rellc'ction of the economic condition" Ireland is not suppressed by the priest, who is one of the unhappy nation. No one in the world could block the path of progress where there is nor./ to block. Ireland is poor and suppressed, with the natural consequence that she is lacking ■in progress. New Zealand is not- poor or suppressed, and is naturally progressive. In conseipuence, the priest does not play the same part amongst the Irish here as he does in Ireland. What we have to consider in the problem of Irish affairs is the economic condition of Ireland, which is the root oi a nation's progress, but not the religion, which is only a secondary consideration. Mr. Taylor's sermon about the purpose oi existing and honesty may do for a sermon in a church where 'sentiment is the main factor and sense and logic are secondary considerations, but not in regard to political and economical problems like Home iliile, where church phrases have no value whatever. Mr. Taylor's understanding o f progress is also based on shallow phrases, as the purpose oi existing could be Answered just as well by a poor man as by a rich one. by 'being honest, which Will make him "the king of men.'' Now if this is progress, then Mr. Taylor is "the king of men," but let me remind him that his words are nothing else than reaction of the worst kind. Such preaching means the continuance of poverty, helping in making the rich richer ami the poor poorer. 1 wonder if Mr. Taylor is a paid agitator to play and sin'™ the song of reaction —1 am. etc., T. UOUDOX.