The Globe. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1879.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1603, 9 April 1879, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1879.

Nobody could be surprised to see by the “ Star’s” last night’s article that our evening contemporary takes its ethics, as well as its general instructions, from the “ Lyttelton Times.” When a big boy at a school possesses a fag the latter generally finds it necessary to give himself up body and soul to his taskmaster. Should the big boy show a remarkable blnntnoss in his idea of honor the fag displays an equal bluntnoss; should the big boy tell an untruth the little one eagerly backs him up, for ho knows that if he fails to do so ho gets a most consummate thrashing. When, therefore, the “Star” delivered itself respecting the recent affair occasioned by a want of precision in the telegraph department, nobody could possibly fool surprised that it echoed tiro sentiments of the luminary round which it revolves. Now what is the doctrine propounded by the “ Lyttelton Times ” in its issue of the 4th instant P It is this: — When a gentleman receives a telegram marked “confidential,”and which ho knows is not intended for him, ho is at perfect liberty to appropriate the contents. There can bo no two opinions as to the conduct of the “Lyttelton Times” in starting such an indecent proposition. Had one boon reading a history of Italian medieval intrigue, one might have expected some such code of morality to have been palliated; but when the “Lyttelton Times” told us that

it was allowable for a lato officer in her Majesty’s; army, a Minister and a gentleman bolding a high position in Now Zealand society to use the contents of a tologram sent to him by mistake, and when, further, the act was called “ a delicious joke,” we Confess to having felt complotoly sickened. Tho “ Star ” oven appeals to its readers, and asks them whether they would not do tho like under similar circumstances! ! So much for our contemporaries’ code of honor. The facts of tho case in question aro those : Mr Waterhouse telegraphs io tho Hon. J. Hall respecting a change which ho thinks may probably take place in tho present Ministry, Tho signature being quite indistinct, Mr Hall thinks the tologram comes from Colonel Whitmore and is naturally surprised at receiving information from such a quarter. However, ho telegraphs hack and says that ho does not think that, if the Ministry is so modified, it can stand. Colonel Whitmore receives tho telegram from Mr. Hall, and although ho knows that he has sent no message to Mr. Hall, and that tho whole affair is evidently a ’ mistake, ho appropriates tho contents, such as they aro, and imparts them to his colleagues. This is tho basis on which tho “Lyttelton Times” has reared that amazing structure of fabrications developed in its article of Friday last. This ■ Munchausen of journals lias proceeded to rovel in a region of tho purest fiction. Relying entirely on its own inventive faculties, it lias felt as unfettered as a Jules Yornos. Seizing on all the names of those opposed to tho Ministry, it has constructed that “ delicious story ” which for a moment electrified a too confiding public. It will bo necessary, before concluding, to notice a few of the remarks made in the “Star’s” article of last night, although an apology is almost duo to our readers for calling their attention to such twaddle. Tho “ Star ” absolutely endeavors to improve the occasion, with a view of sotting class against class. It calls tho affair an intrigue, carried on by “an unscrupulous faction, who have, in attempting to secure tho high offices of Government, but one purpose —the advancement of tho selfish aims and interests of a class.” Further on, it thus unbosoms itself :—“ The poor aro denied the suffrage, and stigmatised as ‘ the dangerous classes of society ’ —dangerous to what or whom ? Tho agriculturist at his plough, tho workman at his bench, the storekeeper at his business, aro never found plotting and conspiring to get tho affairs of the Government into their hands, for they aro innocent of any design to turn power to selfish purposes. Aro wo to ho foolish enough to believe that men with groat financial and other influences to turn tho opportunities afforded by having a friendly Government in power, ‘ intrigue ’ and conspire secretly for nothing ?” Can tho imagination of man conceive greater claptrap F It is rant worthy of a Surrey side penny gaff. Why, if anybody has ever denied the poor man his suffrage, it was Sir George Grey himself during last session. Tho “ agriculturist at his plough, the workman at his bench, tho storekeeper at his business,” aro not idiots. In New Zealand they always have and always will hold their own. When were they ever called “ the dangerous classes” except in the “ Star’s” issue of yesterday. Luckily the less wealthy classes can think for themselves. Tho “ Star” has erected a turnip lantern bogle and has hidden in the ditch, hoping to see a general stampede. We may fairly hope that the intended victim of tho practical joke will, instead of flying in terror, destroy the illuminated vegetable with a blow from a stout cudgel.