BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. “The spirit of the times shall teach me speed.” KING JOHN, ACT IV. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 1873.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume I, Issue 69, 30 April 1873, Page 3

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. “ The spirit of the times shall teach me speed.” KING JOHN, ACT IV. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 1873.

We are very glad to see that “Asmodeus,” on consideration, withdraws his objection to hospitable treatment of travelling Maoris, and have no doubt that further thought on the whole subject, and increase of experience, may modify his views as to those he terms PakelcaMaoris, and also on the Missionary question. Particularly we may expect that “Asmodeus” will learn better than to consider that a more practical experience of any subject shall turn him into the subject itself. One might as well say that practical exp- /nice of the late prevailing winds on this coast would make a man stormy. We trust that he will learn to consider the true purpose of civilisation as something very different from an aim to “ wipe off an imperfect race.” We may inform “ Asmodeus,” since he asks us, that we do expect to be believed to be sincere in the statements we make, and that although our “ want of knowledge” might possibly tempt him to the personalities he considers undesirable, we fail to see that would make the general public clamourous for our enlightenment. Eespecting the amount of success that has attended Missionary efforts, there are various opinions. That was not the question raised by “ Asmodeus,” nor do we think it would be either a profitable or an interesting subject for discussion in. our columns. “ Asmodeus ’’ said nothing in his first communication as to the results of the labours of the Blissionaries, he only spoke of “ broad acres,” Ac., and official preferment. Now he travels into another subject altogether, and does not feel his case so strongly but ho must needs go to London via China for illustrations. We have no experience of Missionary work in China, and we have no doubt the witty sayings quoted by Asmodeus ” have been duly spoken; we are even prepared to believe they were laughed at, but at the same time they do not prove the broad acres and official preferment assertion. We recommend “ Asmodeus ” to study carefully the subject he proposes to write on before he commits his thoughts to paper, and to adhere rigidly to any point be raises, it is strong evidence of the weakness of a cause when its champion wavers at the first suspicion of an attack.