PROTESTANT POLITICAL ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1919, Page 5

PROTESTANT POLITICAL ASSOCIATION.

{Published By Arrangement). (To the Editor.) ' , Sir,—A good deal is getting into thepapers concerning a pamphlet circulated by the president of the Eltham P.P.A* and generally in regard to its infittHK* in politics. Mr. Masters has delivered his opinion on*the matter. On November 14th, as an official ei the P.P.A, I posted to Mr. Masters a paper containing a set of six questions and a covering letter inviting a reply to them. The questions were "as follow*: — (1.) Are you in favor of maintaining the national system of free, compulsory, and undenominational education without endowment, concession or privilege in any form to any sectarian or private school? (2.) Will you support legislation to make it a penal offence for any person to question or impugn, either publicly or privately, the validity or sanctity of a legal marriage! (3.) Will you support legislation to prevent the formation or operation, of, trusts and combines (commercial or Industrial) which may be to the detriment of the interests of the Dominion or the interests of any section of the people? (4.) Will you, if elected to Parliament, endeavour to secure a just and equitable distribution of patronage, employment and promotion in the Publie Service, and civil political rights fat civil servants? / (5.) Will you support legislation ta provide for the Government inspeeUoi , of all educational, religious and charitable institutions? (0.) Will you endeavour to secure, ii returned to Parliament, the impartial administration of the laws? On December 8,1 received a telegram, a copy of which is as follows: "As candidate for Stratford seat I absolutely disassociate myself from your Association, and will publicly refuse acceptance if nominated by you. Your pamphlets are reprehensible, uascrupulous, scurrilous, and untrue. I decline to answer the questions submitted except from the publio phut- [ form.—Robert Masters." , Chamber's Dictionary says sctmiloui 1 means using scurrility or language be- , fitting a vulgar buffoon; indecent; vile; , vulgar; opprobrious; grossly abusive, . The public will judge which is worthy oi . the term "scurrilous," the question* ol the P.P.A. or Mr- Masters' letter. Would J Mr. Masters describe the smashing oi 2 Mr. Bridger's window as a "reprehenI sible" act? I imagine that there arc , many decent electors in the Stratford seat who will take the opportunity on } polling day of telling Mr. Masters thai 5 the person who could make sush accusa- , tion.s against the P.P.A. as he has done, n should not represent them in the Coun- . cils of the Country.—l am, etc., L. A. TAYLOB, ! Hawera, Dec 12, 1019.