Dear Sir,—I am in receipt of your letter of this day's date, containing a report of the proceedings in the House last evening in connection with the Horowhenua Block Bill. I was not in the House at the time when either Mr. Bell or my colleague spoke. Subsequently further heated debate took place, and, being then present, I took the opportunity of stating that I deprecated personalities and the use of strong language when dealing with public questions.

If the report furnished is correct, Mr. Bell page 16 was evidently the aggressor, and he used terms which were out of place and unwarranted, for there is nothing in the Bill of either a scandalous or shameful character.

I can only reiterate to you that which I stated in the House—namely, that I at all times deprecate personalities, and consider that sound arguments and temperate language carry most weight in promoting the subject-matter in debate.

It was, therefore, quite unnecessary for you to ask me whether the remarks made had the authority or approval of myself and colleagues, for your personal knowledge of my colleague, Mr. McKenzie, must lead you to the conclusion that he is the last man in the universe who would ask his colleagues for authority as to what he was to say, or for approval or otherwise of what he had said.

In conclusion, whilst deeply regretting what has taken place, I must at the same time, for reasons which you will, on reflection, appreciate, very respectfully decline to be drawn into the quarrel. Mr. Bell's somewhat intemperate language may cause you with great force to exclaim, "Save me from my friends," for it was owing to the provocation given, I feel sure, that my colleague, in his place in the House, used the language which you have brought under my notice.—I am, &c.,