The Globe. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1875.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 469, 15 December 1875, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1875.

Mr Mookiiouse is consistent. He lias been au abolitionist since 1868, and his views have been well known on the question. He therefore comes before the electors of Christchurch as a staunch Government supporter. Very few persons will be able to go with him in his extras agant estimate of Sir Julius Vogel, but his avowed intention to support the ] olicy of that gentleman's present ministry will gain him numerous votes. Tbe attacks which have been made upon Mr Moorhouae's character, in consequence of his connection with tbe Murimotu transaction have been answered by the candidate. Whether we 'agree with him or not, as to the wisdom of the action of the Government, yet we cannot but agree wi h his principle that, as a lawyer, he was

bound to do his best for i;is clients, and that, his connection with the transaction would not effect in any way his vote in the House of ilepreseutatives when the question comes before that body. On the question of education, Mr Moorhouse is of opinion that it should be absolutely free, and that the cost of such education should be defrayed from the consolidated revenue of the colony. We presume he is in favour of one scheme for public education throughout (lie whole of New Zealand, and that he would not countenance the carrying on of the present system in Canterbury by which the control of education has been handed over to a Minister who has shown absolutely no qualification for the post which he at present holds. On the question of railways Mr Moorhouse gave it as his opinion that at some future dale the colonists would not be contented with the present narrow guage system. While agreeing with him on this point, we cannot help thinking that, as we have got the railway lines, such as they are, we must be content for long years to come with them, and that this generation at all events must be content to travel on the lines now constructed. The enormous cost of alteration could not be justified, while there are so many important works to be initiated. The usual questions were put at the end of Mr Moorhouse's address. Amongst them was that most important one as to whether the candidate was in favour of the opening of public houses for a certain number of hours on Sundays. There was no hesitation in the answer, though of course the candidate knew that many votes would bo influenced by it, but a distinct affirmative was returned. The publicans have come to the conclusion that they will use their influence to obtain the return of a member who will try and do something for them in the way of putting an end to the present unsatisfactory state of things with regard to Sunday trading. If the hotels were allowed to open for a very limited time on Sunday, we firmly believe that cases of trading on that day during prohibited hours would rarely, if ever, be brought before the E.M. Court. The objection to Mr Moorhouse, on the ground of his residence in Wellington, applies equally to Mr Wakefield, and to a certain degree to Mr Kicbardson. But the thorough knowledge of Canterbury in general, and Christchurch in particular, acquired by Moorhouse in his years of residence here, should reduce this objection to a minimum. The electors of Christchirch can only send three representatives to the Assembly, and we trust that they will select as one of them the man to whom Canterbury owes many public works, started long before Sir Julius Vogel rose to fame by the aid of his public works and immigra- ! ion scheme.