THE REV. MR MATHER AND THE PARLIAMENTARY UNION.

Waikato Argus, Volume I, Issue 41, 13 October 1896, Page 2

THE REV. MR MATHER AND THE PARLIAMENTARY UNION.

Wk have received a very long letter from Mr Reginald B. Fitzpatrick on the above subject, of which the following is a precis of the portion which we consider in any degree relevant : " In the first place he distinctly denies having made such a statement, and then reiterates the assertion that money given in charitable aid finds its way over the hotel bar. Can inconsistency go any further than this. He assures us that the statement was not challenged and that he has yet to learn that it is contrary to fact. He then given an account of a drunken woman who, a blacksmith had informed him, always goes on the ' burst' when she receives her charitable aid money. This, he adds, is only one leaf from his note-book and he can give more if required. Any pcrsou who knows anything about the distribution of relief by the Board, knows that the rev. gentleman has made a mistake, if the woman got drunk on money given in charity it must have been by private charity. Mr Mather accuses me of having an animus against the members of the Wesleyan Church. Nothing that I have written or said will bear this interpretation. My indignation is solely with the ministers of his persuasion. Mr Mather says when he made the remarks at the Union he had no thought of the publicans. After reading his letter we must take this cum ijrano talh. Besides he is one of the exponents of prohibition: The "Wesleyan Ministers appear to be the only body of men going about the country preaching prohibition, which, if carried, would bring ruin in its train. Mr Mather says that some of his relatives have fallen victims to the scourge of drink. The writer has been equally unfortuuate. Mr Mather accuses me of sneering at the Methodist Church, and states that she produces less proportionate crime than any other sect, it is impossible to bring rcbuttiti" evidence, but after his little story about the woman at Ngaruawahia, and his impossible statement about the charitable relief funds finding their way over the public house bar, I am quite justified in requiring proof before accepting any statement made by him."