OPEN COLUMN.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 47, 25 November 1867, Page 3

OPEN COLUMN.

(To the Editor of the Waieaeapa Mercury.) Taratahi West, Nov. 20, 1867.

Sm,—l had not read “ Road Board’s” letter half through before I recognised the style of the composition to be very much like one that appeared a few months ago with the writer’s signature attached, and I only notice it now to call your attention to the fact that you have permitted “Road Board” to make use of your Open Column to make an attack upon a gentleman in private life—not for any statement publicly made, or act done; but for for abstaining from doing or saying anything whatever. What right has any one to make such a gross attack, or any attack at all upon any one not choosing to interfere in any public matter? If any one was expected to give a reason why he turned round on the representative of his choice—it was Road Board who might have spared the people of Masterton and Featherston the slur that he has cast on them for their want of public spirit in not meeting their representative—simply stating that the nights on which Mr Bunny held his meetings at those, places were so wet, that only a few people could be expected to leave their comfortable homes to attend a political meeting. As for what Road Board says about the Small Farmers of Carterton having passed a vote of confidence in favor of Mr Bunny, I would remind Road Board that it was Mr Bunny’s political conduct in the House of Representatives that was under .consideration; and it does not follow that because the Carterton people expressed their confidence in their representative for his general conduct in the General Assembly that they have done so as their representative in the Provincial Council. Therefore, Road Board might have spared the people of Carterton the unmerited strictures he has cast on them, when he states that Mr Bunny “ succeeded in throwing dust in the eyes of the electors.” Although I am one of those that voted for the amendment, I protest against such a slur being cast on the electors by one who was not present. Yours, &c., W. Anderson.