Correspondence.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4592, 22 September 1883, Page 2

Correspondence.

These columns are open to all correspondence of public interest, but we do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of writers. Coivespondetice must in all sases be authenticated by the real name and ddress of the writer—not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star:)

Sic,—The refusal of the use of Public Halls at Hokitika to Mr Redmond, M.P., is an act that savors of persecution. Irish* men are continually told that they should try to redress the grievances of their country in a constitutional manner (and rightly so told). Yet, when an intelligent and well-educated Irishman, a member of .the Imperial Parliament, comes to this colony to ventilate . the wronijs of his countrymen, and to inform the colonial public why it is that there is crime and hatredof the law in Ireland, we close our lecture halls to him and condemn him unheard. What I claim for Mr Kedmond, or any other lecturer, is the right of a free expression of opinion. How can we tell that his cause is bad or good until we hare heard, him? If at some future time we hare a grievance with the Imperial Government, and send a member of the colonial Parliament as a delegate to the people of Ireland, to show the reason why we were discontented, would we not think ourselves ill used if the opportunities of addressing public audiences in Dublin, were' refused him P—l am, &,e., Geohge Vidai,.