CORRESPONDENCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3874, 31 July 1891, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir.—The letter of the Secretary of the Moderate Committee, which appeared in your issue of the 28th inst, was so inconsistent with the axiam laid down at its commencement, and so full of self contradiction that it scarcely seemed to require any kind of reply. The writer characterises the statement of the Prohibitionist "If you vote for our party, you vote against drink; if you vote for the other party, you are voting for drink," as an exaggeration. Surely no statement could bo more simply, or with less amplification than this, It is either true or false. There is no question of exaggeration. If Mr. Walker cannot be more accurate in his definitions, he cannot expect any one to take notice of his literary efforts. What doeß Mr. Walker mean when he says "It ought to be clearly understood that the m )derate party are not for drink. Co ;Id the sale of drink be stopped at th: fountain head by the Legislature, thu matter might be different, etc ?" Does he infer that the Moderate party would tkenbe for drink t If be does, we are agreed on that point. We know who the leaders and the backers of the party are, and we know what their actions have been elsewhere, where this fight has been fought to a finish. Mr, Walker comes up again in your issue of yesterday. He has improved considerably in the matter of consistency. He commences with a nice little motto, "If you are weak, abuse the other side," and he sticks to it fairly well. The letter is not unlike the kick of a calf either, but not serioU3 enough for neuralgia. He wants the Prohibitionist to come out of his shell, and proclaim his policy. The Prohibitionist has been out of his shell for some time; in fact he is getting to be a biggish chicken now. His party has been before the ratepayers, and the world for many years. He does not court secrecy. He spreads his opinions broadcast over the land by lecturers, by the press, and by every other means in his power. Now as to Mr Walker's arguments, or rather queries, for he does not attempt argument, —He says, "We are agreed upon the evil of drink." How can we make an" evil" a "credit to the township," as proposed in No. iof Moderate's platform ? As to his query re " clubs, breweries &0.," the intelligence of the people is growing, and the will of the people is allpowerful. Then re "establishing hotels within a stone's throw of the town." It is scarcely probable that, after the late exhibition of public feeling here, any man would risk his money in such a speculation. As to the " enriching of outside merchants,*' &c, This is wha'l has been done, and we are anxious that it should cease. "Do we honestly tell people that their rates will be doubled, etc." No, that is a kind of Iwnesty we leave to less scrupu'ous persons. I do not call such a statement an exaggeration, because a preference for accuracy of statement would compel me to call it by a le3B euphonious name. A* to tba "one more little question" we belieTe the statement to be false. It is a matter easily settled. After all we have done to publish our platform, I cannot think that Mr Walker is so ignorant as he professes to be. It would be asking you altogether too much to publish it, 89 1 am sending Mr Walker a bundle of tracts, which we distribute free to all who wish to know any thing of our principles. We must get him better posted in this matter. Where has he been living all these years]—l am, etc., ' D.D., Wairarapa District.

(To the Editor.) (AdVT.) Sir.—Samson is reported to hare slain bis hundreds with the jaw bona of an ass. Evidently the inspired and anonvmous writer in your columns of the 2?th inst. is labouring undep "the delusion that br the wagging of a similar weapon, «e cpn slay me. ALEX WALKEB, Secretary Moderate Party.