CORRESPONDENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1917, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

DISGRUNTLED. MB, TAYLOR.

To the Editor 1 . Sir.—lf Mr. J. 0. Taylor's reply to my former lc-tter docs not exemplify a case of the biter bitten/' then there are more things 'twixt- heaven and eartli than dream't of in my philosophy. To quote Mr. J.O.T.'s pathetic version of my offence, it would appear that I have been guilty of assassination, per medium of the pen. His reputation (?) has suffered thereby, and, in Shakespearean language, it is a ease of "he who filchcr. my good name, robs me of that which enriches not himself, and leaves me poor udeed." Sir, I absolutely repudiate the charge levelled against me. The "personalities" so common in controversial journalism, -were non evident in my effort, to "make a, stand for the right" in "the last ditch of chivalry journalism." Thank God, I have never been so beggared for argument as to be compelled to vilify an opponent; and I have never exceeded the limits of reasonable criticism. It was not my intention to offer personal insult, to Mr. Taylor. I don't know the right lion, gent from "a .bar of soap," and have lio particular regard for the difference. On your own version, Sir, so properly stated (for which I thank you) Mr. Taylor stands self convicted of having robbed himself of his reputation for fair play and common sense. My critique dealt not With Mr. Taylor's per- | sonal character, but the peculiarly puer- | ile mental aberration revealed in uis pointless and illogical criticism of Mr. I "Joe B. Simpson," whose reputation for "common sense" and "fair play" should be envied by Mr. Taylor. Moreover, 1 trust that Mr. J. 0. Taylor will do me justice and remember that I advised "Professor Joseph Simpson" not to imi- ,■ tate the profitless personalities so'indiscretely initiated by Mr. Taylor." With regard to the word "impervious," Mr. Taylor must- be "counted out." I said impervious; meant impervious, .and still mean it. The use of the word* "immune' would have been at variance my knowledge of syntax; which I trust is equal to Mr. Taylor's. Dr. Annandale, the foremost lexicographic authority of modern times, defines "impervious" as "not admitting entrance or passage; incapable of being passed through." Well, Sir, a British Dreadnought might well be impervious to German shells, and I wolild certainly claim that Mr., Simpson's armoured philosophy is equally impervious to the poisoned barbs of such an imperfect markesman as J.O.T. Mr. Taylor should not regard himself as "immune" from criticism, while judging from the fretful asperity revealed in his reply he is certainly not "impervious" to it. In conclusion, to disprove Mr. Taylor's reckless and'unfounded charge of cowardice, based on my previous signature "Jim the Peniqan." I am prepared to give him an opportunity to exact reparation, either* on the public platform or behind it. I bar a repetition of his "Hv.mn.of Hate," but an prepared to meet him for a more seriou? purpose than "pen murder." —I am. etc, Bfm. JAMES H. SAROENT. J. Coy., 28th Rifles, Featherston. EFFICIENCY. To the Editor, Sir,—On Saturday morning I had occasion to visit the railway station, when a yofang man of military age bought your paper from the bookstall and on opening it out, he exelaimed: "Good. . . . !" A friend standing by asked what was the news. The cause of such a feeling exclamation was the fact that the Palmerston North races had been abandoned. In the same issue appeared the information that 19 ships of over 3C(W tons had been submarined, and it was generally treated as a "circumstance," , and the war is still on! In your Friday's issue appears the following:— "The Efficiency Committee intend to recommend to President Wilson and parliament that the manufacture of alcoholic liquors be at once suppressed as it. uses up 300 million tons of food stuffs." Our new Ally i§ for speeding up efficiency. Last year we spent 45 millions in liquor in New Zealand. The Railway Department notify that- _ all building material, lime, and farmers' manures are not to be carried by rail while the'strike of the coal miner? continues. Last Tuesday two truck loads of empty beer barrels were hurriedly shipped out of Stratford, apparently to come back full. As I do not see beer amongst the prohibited articles to be carried by rail, I suppose, it is .looked on as essential for the good government of the - community. The country howls for efficiency, and more efficiency, and spends 41 millions in liquid hell per annum. Oh, for three or sis months of "martial law," and let the people know what • war means in a "small" way! —I am, etc., C. D. SOLE, Stratford, April 24.