THE LAST WORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1922, Page 2

THE LAST WORD.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Since "Justice" had said his final say (News of the 29th) may I compliment him cn having "seen the light." In his first letter he gave me the impression that he was one who saw Popes and priests in his sleep, and could see no good in them. Now he is inclined to believe that both the R.C. Federation and the P.P.A. are not needed. Herein we agree; they are not, but we disagree when he says the R.C.F. is more to blame than the P.P.A., for the sectarian strife. Also when he says Howard Elliott is not an imported agitator. He is not a New Zealander, anyhow, and it is for New Zealanders this country must be kept clean. Likewise "Justice" flatters himself in thinking that, he had me

"cornered” into a broad expression of opinion, but my expression of loyalty to the Empire on behalf of my fellow Catholics (with, of course, the exception of a few ranters such as Kelly and Liston) was not brought on as a "stunt.” Per medium of circulars and from its platforms the P.P.A. made no hones about stating that Catholics as a body were, and are disloyal. In doing so it should have been fair, and said that although the Catholics were only one seventh of the population at the outbreak of the Great War they sent fourteen thousand men to the front before conscription was enforced, which is a record the Catholics of New Zealand have no cause to be ashamed of. For every mile of battlefront in France held by Protestants (by the way, I do not remember having seen these loyalists like H. Elliott, the Taranaki president, and other young men who have since preached so much about loyalty. Perhaps it. was "the yellow streak" that kept them safely In Eltham and other secure places). However, to proceed, for every mile of battlefront in France held by Protestants, four miles wore held by Catholics, and yet after all this, and the fact that thousands of Catholics died for the Empire they loved in their hearts (not with their empty mouth), men in the P.P.A. have been low enough to insult, their memory. and the intelligence of the living by accusing all Catholics fo being disloyal. If this is "Justice," give me dirt! The P.P.A. swamped the country with pamphlets prior to the elections, but the result of the poll has been really a smashing blow to sectarianism In politics. In this electorate, on the eve of polling day, Mr. Hawken publicly repudiated the P.P.A. He went back because he did so, and I venture to assert he will go back again

because both Catholics and Protestants here admire the man for not sacrificing his principles to pander to such an organisation as to P.P.A. and the class of individual at the head of it. And again, note the result of the poll in Taranaki, Stratford, Hutt, Wanganui, Christchurch North, Awarua and many other electorates where the P.P.A. had its big guns trained. They misfired badly. It was the people’s protest against sectarianism In politics. And It is well, for New Zealand would be worth nothing tn the democracy if honeycombed with sectarian organisations, be they Roman or P.P.A. The result of the polling in the electorates n.mned is not only an expression of tlie intelligence of the people, but a proof of their tolerance and self-respect. A most scurrilous attempt was made to obtain support, by appealing to the baser instincts of the people, and as a result thousands or honest, self-respecting men and women, both Catholic and Protestant, refused to he influenced ly such an organisation. This rote against sectarianism in politics shows that the majority of citizens of New Zealand and particularly those of the Taranaki and Stratford electorates, where the pamphlets flew the thickest, possess tolerance, honesty and commonsense. The vindication of the spirit of liberty in religion and politics which I, in my humble way have been advocating, per medium and through the courtesy of the Press of the Dominion, Is the finest, attribute of the elections. There is no need for further comment. —I am, etc., A NEW ZEALAND DIGGER. Opunake, December 21. [This correspondence Is closed. Ed.].