PLAIN SPEAKING

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2114, 24 June 1907, Page 1

PLAIN SPEAKING

Under the heading ‘‘Swelled Heads,” an open letter to Sir William Lyne, by • “Graccjjyus,” appears in a recent issue of -Reynolds' Newspaper. The writer says: —“Just because a self-governing colony governs itself, so ought it, to respect the independence of others. If the people of England tried to intermeddle with the politics of Australia, all the neopic whom you' are supposed to represent at tlie conference would rise in indignation, and protest against such presumption, and, similarly, the peo-ple-of England-are not.likely to sit down quietly when you are guilty of the colossal impudence of interfering with their affairs. John Bull may be an old-fashioned fogey, but at least he knows on which side his bread is buttered, and his experience of protection—extending, as it did, over 400 years—has taught him at least that ilntaxed commerce pays him better than that insidious form of indirect robbery that goes by the name of protection. As a democrat, you ought to have some respect foi; the opinions of forty-two millions of people just expressed at the polls. Yet, notwithstanding the recent mineral election in England, you, the guest of the nation, go out of your way to support the party of the privileged classes in their attempts to tax the food of the jieople. If you desired to damn the cause of Imperial, preference you could not do it more effectually, than by thrusting ‘ your puny little finger into the mighty cauldron of British politics. Von had the impertinence to call tlie > rc r suit of ths,»yst general election a mere flash in. the pan. Was it a .mere flash in the pan which resulted

in your elevation to your present position P Even the most thoughtless readers of the yellow press could see the sort of politician' you are. The statement you made bristled with the thoughtless superficial generalisations which stamp the.unbaked politician’. Among other silly statements you revelled in was the amazing absurdity that England lias living from hand to mouth. To those wbo know anythin'- of Australian politics, this took one’s breath away. It is such a delicious picture—that of mighty and prosperous Australia coming to rescue poor, penniless England from bankruptcy. Whore, my dear fellow, have you got your ideas from? Can vo.u read? If so, you might study the trade returns of the two countries. Can you count? If so, you might -spend, your time in calculating how long it 'wiTPtake_ your, continent to repay this little island the many mil-

lions you have borrowed from her. Have you any notion of the ordinary courtesies of life? If so. you will

ihesitate next time before you slander ■your hostess”-’