Sir,—Readers may well remember that the last column under the sinister heading "View from the Left ' by a certain obscure joker, whose name I do not recall and indeed would not care to remember, made certain references to the Thai Government and also to the "Royal Visitors" who obviously have endeared themselves not only to their own loyal subjects but to all their Kiwi friends.

The only thing about the article that really strikes me is the fundamental error in the use of the future tense contained in its opening, remark which reads:

"By the time this article will appear the King and Queen of Thailand will have left these shores and the local social climbers will be putting their tiaras back into cold storage."

As a lecturer in English I feel it my duty as well as my privilege to point out that the sentence should read.

"By the time this article appears (not will appear) . . . will have left these shores . . .".

The correct formula is: "At a certain ascertainable time in the future something will or may have happened". For example, "By the time you are ready (not you will be read) I may have changed my mind."

In the interest of all the Colombo Plan students into whose hands a copy of this honourable paper may find its way, therefore, but especially in his own interest. I implore the character concerned to exercise a certain amount of care in the use of his own native tongue in future.

I do not intend to involve myself in any kind of polemics or verbal warfare in this case, because it is my principle "not to slay a man without a sword." I should like to say this, however, that if the columnist in question intended to establish a name for himself either as an unscrupulous misinformer or the exact opposite of a genius, he can now rest assured that he has attained the highest degree of success and certainly deserves our congratulations. On the other hand, if he attempted to poison the educated minds of the readers who I am more than certain, are of such calibre as will not in any circumstances allow themselves to be enslaved, by misinformation of any form, he must prepare himself for utter disappointment.

For accurate and reliable information on or connected with the Land of the Elephant there are several sources. All one has to do is, as it were, look in the right direction. As a matter of interest, one of my convictions is that ignorance—pure simple ignorance—is always a forgivable sin. But whether or not ignorance coupled with for instance malice is excusable is for you readers to decide. In any event, I believe the warning "... a little learning is a dangerous thing applies. Yours, etc.

An Elephant;