CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2500, 13 May 1909, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Correspondence on public matters is welcomed at all times, but it must be distinctly understood that this journal is in no way associated with the opinions of its correspondents. All letters must be legibly written and inscribed on one side of tho paper only, otherwise they will not be published. *An asterisk at tho foot of a letter indicates that some portion has been excised.]

LABOR AND THE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —No doubt Gisborne has much to be, j.|ratified at in the way of numerous institutions that are endeavoring to cater for its welfare. Oar Borough Council has overcome many vicissitudes and has made much history, whether to or against its credit, it is perhaps not wise to say—but this can be left for future generations to decide. But one of the latest institutions to take an interest in the welfare of our own prosperous district is the Trades and Labor Council, and, judging from the deliberations of that “august” body (for, Mr. Editor, is there not dignity about a name that carries with it such a venerable sound?) , Gisborne should be very thankful that such an institution has been born to bless our town with its -wisdom. Some mouthy ago this Society gave out its fiat that it could command tho influence of many hundreds of voters for the purpose of placing one of two of its members on certain public committees. At its meet-, mg at the time this was made ’known, its deliberations were confined to not more than a dozen followers, andj I question if at any time it has ever exceeded this number. Latterly it has sought to place on the Borough Council a bevy of candidates whose ambition would not prevent them from walking in by the back door were this possible, but they decided to go with the crush and trust to circumstances and the influence of their august name to carry them through. It was a scurry result when the strength of the Association could not, united or otherwise, command 300 votes. But still later events have shown that the egotistical claims of these savants have grown to suck dimensions that the public are invited to witness their deliberations, and judge of the wisdom of their schemes. “Born genius will find its mark by force of circumstances,” it is often said, but the blessings* that are now going to shower themelves upon this benighted town (prospectively,, of course) by the leading geniuses of this society, who aspire municipalwards, will so swamp anything hitherto attempted by our city fathers in the ways of benefits to the community, that we shall never forgive ourselves for allowing them so long to have “wasted their sweetness on the desert air.” Let us hope that they are not born to blush unseen, but that the public will_ keep an eye upon them, and give "some credence to things said and done, or that the ambitious desires of such individuals may not be gratified in using the! Trades and Labor Council as a stepping stone to an end in which fato has not given them the ability, neither has providence provided them with the desire to represent their fellowmen unselfishly.—l tin, etc. “ANTI HUMBUG. Gisborne May 10.

DREADNOUGHTS AND* PATRIOTISM.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Kindly allow mo space to answer the wrong impression that you unfortunately cast upon me regarding the Dreadnought question. In the report of your Monday's issue an the Trades and Labor Council’s discussion on the matter (which your article in this morning’s issue is based upon) is, I regret to say, somewhat misleading owing to its abridgement (unintentional I admit) and called for the severe comment you made on it, far more than the true facts of my statements warranted. The report mentioned, stated me saying that “Patriotism was not to fight for one’s country, but to fight for its betterment.” What I said was “Patriotism was not merely to fight for one’s country, etc.” The word “’merely” entirely alters the tone of the sentence. Then again it reports rne as saying “What good was at to build and man Dreadnoughts to protect a country seething with discontent and internal bitterness.” It should have said “What encouragement was it to build and man Dreadnoughts for a country, etc. To omit the word “'good” and insert “encouragement” also alters the complexion of the statement. I also mentioned in my remarks, which was omitted in your report, “that I recognised that the conditions' under which we live, necessitated an upkeep of tho navy, at the same time we had not to forget the fact that the strength of a country depends largely upon the spirit of humanity shown by the country to its people.” You will undoubtedly see by my few' corrections uiat I am not quite as black as I have been painted. Y’ou brand me as a Socialist, 1 do not shirk it. The word *'socialism” to me doesnot carry that bitterness which it seems to do by the majority of people I come in contact with. No, Socialism, in my idea, spells happiness, the advancement of man and womankind (morally and physically), the only “ism” that will tend to eliminate vice, wickedness, and corruption in general. Though I am looked upon by many in the Socialist .ranks as a milk and water Socialist, their goal is my goal, and the main point an which I differ from them is the tactics they have adopted in fighting for the gallant cause. —I am, etc. J. H. HALL. Gisborne, May 11.

[The meetings of the Trades and Labor Council are' not open to the press, but reports are supplied by its officials. We are glad to give Mr. Hall the opportunity to correct the report of his remarks, but would point out that he by no means disclaims the position set forth in our article, namely, that a certain class of Socialists and Laborites were prepared to sacrifice the safety of their country because its internal affairs were not carried out according to their particular ideas.—Ed. G.T.I