MR KINGDON IN REPLY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1734, 12 July 1884, Page 2

MR KINGDON IN REPLY.

To THE EdIIOR, Sir,—l have been connected with the various Temperance Societies for twenty years and I haye always considered and still believe the total abstinence platform to be a political platform, and further, it is my opinion that at tbe present time there is no Public question more important than the enormom expenditure in strong drink, and ■when we consider the greater part of this money ia spent or squandered away by the working man we cannot be surprised at the amount of distress in existence. I have noticed until this subjeot is thrust before our candidates it is apparently carefully avoided by them as a dangerous and unpopular subject. Now, Sir, for our well-known old identity, Mr T, W, Shute, I am sorry to say lately unless my eyes and ears decieve rae he could not be expected to advocate tho principles ot total abstinanoe, and I may say further that on any other subjeot if I find him antagonistic to my views that of itself is suioient proof to me that I am in the right. If he could have sat on the needles a little longer he would have found the boot on the other leg, now for our fussy little friend \*ho interrupted me at tho meeting and who I also believe to be one of the henorable anonymous correspondents, who think proper to drag another man's namo before the public, and are afraid to sign their name to their grievances: to all suoh I look npon with contempt, The substance of what I did say was that I believed Mr G. Beetham to be an honorable, gentleman, and one whose word could be relied on, He had promised the temperance cause nothing; lie had, to my mind, done nothing for it, and unless his views changed would do nothing fqr us. Mr McOardle was a member of our Order—this far our fussy lifctle friend, Mr Fielding.heard me, but when I said he was not a consistent member, our little fussy friend would not hear any more, ana the Chairman who did not want a disturbance, interfered, and I oan with pleasure finish now what I intended to have said then. ; It is my opinion the total abstinence ticket of Mr MoCardle, attempted to be forced on us by little fussy, will not answer. 1 believe the majority of temperance men would rather trust our cause to an honorable gentleman, though hii views nowtaay be different to that of ours, knowing the time will come when he will think ; different, than trust them to one who in my' opinion has no claim on us in this respect. I am, (So., S.Kingdon,