THE GLOBE. MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 1879.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1708, 11 August 1879, Page 2

THE GLOBE. MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 1879.

The “ man in tho street” is very busy at present with the rumor that it is tho intention of Sir Georgo Grey to offer himself as a candidate for Christchurch at tho forthcoming elections. A few days will of course absolutely decido whether tho on dit is based on a solid foundation. It may, however, bo safely presumed that the matter has been talked over in Ministerial circles, and that it has mot with a certain amount of favor. Apparently there is some chance of this district being bracketed with Hokitika, as’ a locality particularly favored by “ tho family.” It is easy to remember tho fervid joy with which “ my nephew” was received as a candidate by the Greyites on tho West Coast. A yearning was felt after favors to bo received, and a glow of satisfied pride that the constituency was about to bo honored by the presence of a near relation —was, in fact, to become a sort of pocket borough—pervaded tho manly bosoms of the Groyiio electors. Apparently their delight was by no moans diminished by the fact that Mr. Seymour George was no more acquainted with tho wants of tho district than ho was with the wants of tho inhabitant s of the moon. Tho bare honor of the connection was enough for them, and for mouths they dwelt in a rosy atmosphere of joy delightful to contemplate. But, if a portiou of tho electors of Hokitika throw up their hats in a frouzy when “ my nephew ” dawned on the horizon, what should not tho Groyito electors of Christchurch do if “ my uncle ” himself honours us with his presence, -Ho certainly knows nothing whatsoever of tho wants of tho district—nay more, ho has always exhibited tho most rabid disliko towards all connected with Canterbury—but wbat of that? This would ouly enhance tho honor bestowed on tho city. Sir George may have determined to sink all his private dislikes, to put up with the fact that ho knows nothing of and caros nothing for Christchurch, and to swoop down on his electrified friends. An excess of joy has boon known on occasions to bavo bad fatal effects. Should Sir Goorgo stand for Christchurch, it will bo prudent that a certain section of tho citizens should keep a careful guard over their emotions. As far as has been reported nothing serious happened at Hokitika when “ my nophow” came to the front, and indeed, as time passed on, tho whole affair was discovered to bo a gigantic “ soli.” But still as tbo honor possibly to bo reserved for Christchurch is far greater, caro should bo exercised.

On one score, however, the city will fairly have to bo congratulated if Sir George does put in an appearance. There will result an amount of musical tinklmgs on platforms which will delight the hearts of all lovers of the sublime and beautiful. General truths will be enunciated with a running accompaniment of trombone-like promises that will of necessity charm all those who have any ear for platform harmony. An occasional denunciatory crash on the ophicloido of Sir George’s early reminiscences will be thrown in to heighten the effect. The public may roly on the performances being, if they take place, thoroughly artistic in character, and every local Groyito will have a fine opportunity of studying the art, as illustrated by his chief, of using, amusing, and, in the long run, abusing a foreign constituency.

The candidate in posse for Christchurch professes to be consumed with a desire to benefit the working classes. How far will this assertion bear analysis? Setting aside the incident that, during the session before the one just concluding, Sir George Grey’s action deprived a large number of the poorer of his fellow-colonists of the franchise, bow will be face the fact that during the depression which has thrown thousands out of work ho has persisted in introducing immigrants ? Mr. Macandrow, to gratify a hobby and his constituents at the same time, took steps to introduce a regular flow of workingmen by the Stad Haarlem and other steamers. This was at the very time that numbers from the working classes in the colony were totally at a loss to find bread to keep body and soul together. Wo trust that, if the illustrious stranger favours ns with his presence, ho will bo questioned on this point. It will bo well for some friend to warn him that some such enquiry will be instituted should he stand for this city. The resources of our municipal and local bodies have boon strained to provide work for thoso out of employ. The ratepayers of Christchurch will ultimately be compelled to “pay through the noso” for thoir philanthropy ou the occasion referred to. Concurrently with the distress, the Government have been busied in inventing a now process by which immigrants may be sbot on to our shores in a manner swifter than has as jet boon deemed possible. At [a far heavier cost than usual —the extremely hard-up taxpayer being of course saddled with the expense—these labour consumers have been collected in the old country and imported. The ordinary method of transit was not considered fast enough for the introduction of individuals for whom the colony was presumed to be in a fever of expectation. Steam was brought into requisition to bring them on the field of action. “ Hang the expense ” say Sir George Grey and Mr. Macandrow. And the expense was consequently suspended. However, wo fancy there are a few of the unemployed in these parts who will be anxious to make inquiries on this point if Sir George Grey favours us with his presence. The pleasure of being penniless and out of employ is not heightened by the knowledge that the Government are ignoring the fact that the colony is labouring under a surplus of the raw material, and is not over anxious to receive more from outside, even when it is introduced in a manner that is novel and, to a certain extent, sensational.