R.K.P. IN REPLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2590, 5 December 1893, Page 3

R.K.P. IN REPLY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I see in your issue of the 28th November you are asked why you did not give the pedigree (antecedents, I suppose he meant) of the man R.K.P., who dared to give advice to farmers ou the political situation, aud if I was the great failure who attempted to work several properties in South Canterbury some years since, and now dragging out an existence on the Ealing stones. I think, Sir, even your correspondent with the nasty signature must realise that a paper with a large circulatiou is scarcely the medium through which private financial speculations (of no public interest) should be discussed ; but I still write at once to let him know I am that unfortunate failure, and to ask him if he does not think it is quite possible that in working large properties it is reasonable to suppose I may have acquired some experience that may at some eventful period —like that just passed—prove useful to my fellow colonists, aud if he does not think that in using that experience! have benefitted my fellow colonists more than in using any small abilities I may possess in trying to injure people by publishing their private business transactions. But, Sir, I am quite at a loss how to answer your correspondent. From his letter, if he means that, through being unsuccessful, I stiould not give advice to others ; or that he means as I held a good deal of property I must have been a Conservative and now have changed. If he means the latter he is quite right, for only since I have become poor have I taken the trouble to study the interests of the people, aud I am now as thorough a Liberal as any in the country, aud I shall lose no opportunity of advocating, at all times, the policy that w.ll tend to progress in agriculture or finance, or for the welfare of the majority of the people. But perhaps, Sir, your correspondent was of the wrong colour in this election, and may have been very anxious aud wished to damage anything in opposition to his favorites. If so, I can forgive him the) more easily since I can assure him, from communications I have received from different parts of the country, in spite of anything that has been said against it, the letter signed R H.P. has added many votes to the Liberal Interest, and, altogether, the Progressive Party have every reason to be satisfied, for the Conservatives have become nearly extinct—- “ sat on,” —to coin an agricultural word, siloised”—and I am afraid when wanted again they will cut up very sour stuff—but if they will get up a little progressive energy during the holidays they have had allowed them, and manage to catch up to the times, they will become very useful again, as there are many very good men amongst them—too good to be idle long. But punishment lessons are sometimes necessary, even though our school days : are passed in fear aud contrition. I again sign myself R.K.P., not R.H.P.