CORRESPONDENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 April 1922, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE.

) THE TARANAKI SEAT. (To the Editor.) Sir, —As I am a subscriber, would you kindly inform me if Mr. C. E. Bellringer, the Tory Candidate for the next general election, is the same C. E. Bellringer that stood twice before as Independent and Liberal candidate? If so, he puts me in mind of a chameleon: he can change his coat whenever he likes.—l am, etc., F. DAVIS. New Plymouth, April 3. (To the Editor.) Sir, —So Mr. C. .E. Bellringer lias been chosen by the Reformers to contest the Taranaki seat in their interests. That great stalwart, J. O. Taylor, says he is the best of the bunch offering and would be alright if he doesn’t start his Pussyfooting. Who is the Reform Party in the electorate? Does it consist entirelv of Messrs. J. O. Taylor, R. C. Hughes, A. E. Washer, and C. E. Baker? Evidently it must do, for they have constituted themselves the selection committee for the whole of the Government Party. But there are a few of us in the country districts who do not like their little hole and corner ways. We would like to be consulted before and not after a candidate is chosen. We do not want to be made fools of again through the precipitative action of a few wellmeaning, but very foolish political enthusiasts. In 1917, the same hole and corner methods were employed. The field was not carefully scanned for possible candidates, and there was chosen a gentleman, however worthy in majiy respects, who had not a winning chance. At last election a bigger mistake than ever was made in bringing in an outsider, and making a burlesque of the whole election. Looks to me as if they are doing the same again. When .will these gentlemen of Tooley-street learn that there is a right and a wrong way of going about choosing a candidate? Because a man who is eager to enter the political fray quietly intimates that he would not refuse nomination if properly approached, that is no reason why he should, be taken up at once. Representatives of the party ought to be called together from all parts of the electorate, and a committee set up to fossick out a good man, one who has a likely chance, not a losing one. The present is a good time to bring 1 out a strong man, for the seat can be wrested from the sitting member, who has made many mistakes, and is not in good odour in many quarters, but the select few in New Plymouth have apparently gone and prejudiced the whole Reform position once again. Is it too late to try and remedy their mistake?—l am, etc., COUNTRY REFORMER. A CONTRAST. (To the Editor.) Sir,—Will you kindly allow me space in your valuable journal to contrast the utterances of Roman Catholics, which recently appeared in print, and those of the Divine Master. “God had made Ireland a nation, and while the grass grew and the water flowed, there would be many to fight and even die in order that God’s desires might be realised.”—Bishop Liston. “However, there is a limit to public patience, and a limit to Catholic patience, and I don't think there is any necessity for reminding Mr. Massey that Catholics will fight for their rights if provoked beyond endurance.” —John Diggins. In the New Testament no mention is made of Roman Catholics. I read that the disciples were called Christians, followers of the Divine Master, who said: “My Kingdom is not of this world; if my Kingdom were of this world then would my servants fight.” “Behold my servant, whom I have chosen, he should not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.” “By their fruits ye shall know them.” —I am, etc., PUKETAPU. New Plymouth, April 4. BLESSING AND CURSING. (To the Editor.) Sir, —It has been the custom of Popes immediately after election to give a re-‘ etricted blessing within the Basilica, but the new Pope amazed the people by pronouncing the blessing publicly fi'om the outer balcony so that those assembled in the square could hear. Speculation as to what this striking departure might mean was not set at rest until the Marshal of the Conclave .in an official statement explained that the new Pope “has given his blessing from the eternal balcony with particular intention that the blessing itself shall be not only to those present in the Piazza di S. Pietro, not only to Rome and to Italy, but to all nations and peoples, and that it may bring to everybody the wish and the announcement of that universal peace which we all so mpch desire.” Now though Protestants cannot acknowledge that the Pope has any authority over them, they will heartily rejoice at his message of goodwill and gjadly reciprocate his more friendly feeling. But what do we find? To our infinite disappointment the Pope’s message was at once trampled under' foot by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland. Can • it be that the new Pope’s first and impressive act was exclusive of goodwill towards the British nation? Or is the Bishop in opposition to the Pope? At any rate at the Auckland Town Hall His Lordship pronounced a bitter defamation upon, men who had proved themselves loyal and obedient sons and saviours of the Empire. Sneering at I them and their race as foreigners he but boasted himself a foreigner, for we can be foreigners only to those who are outside the Empire, and by calling them murderers he cannot complain of the hospitality withdrawn from him and from those for whom he professed to speak until they show themselves I inclined to more decent behaviour. —I I’ am, etc., LOYALTY. Hawera, April 4. ON BISHOP LISTON’S SPEECH. I (To the Editor.) • Sir,—Having read Mr. John Diggins’ strife-stirring and mischief-making letter concerning Mayor Gunson’s patriotic attitude, one draws the conclusion that it does hurt Mr. J.D. to hear anyone daring to remind his party that we have laws in New Zealand both he and his confreres have to obey, or take the consequences. That there be consequences—there’s the bitter pul. Yes, Mr. Diggins, looks as though you d have things’ like they are in Ireland Pvafferty Rule—if you had your way. Thank God you haven’t a say. and won’t have while men of true British

blood, live in this fair country to keep you in your place. Your vicious remarks about the P.P.A. are quite expected, as we know that anyone or anything that stands for King and country will get /sneers from you. Finally, I would like to ask him who started the. murder campaign in Ireland, who got behind hedges and shot men in the back? The answer isn’t favorable to you, Mr. Diggins.—l am, etc., R.J.N. New Plymouth, April 4.