THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1879.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1735, 11 September 1879, Page 2

THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1879.

It has pleased an inscrutable Providence to bless the Christchurch constituency with tho full and complete possession of Sir George Grey. Tho exertions of his party have succeeded in hoisting him by a vory narrow majority to tho hoad of tho poll. The ways of Providence are, as has been often remarked, past finding out, and we may never, perhaps, discover for what particular good deed done by us as a community it is that wo have been rewarded by tho inestimable advantage of being represented by tho Premier. But if it is not easy to place the finger on tho deed that has earned us tho ploasuro of Sir George Grey's permanent company, it is not at all difficult to at onco claim one prominent virtue for the constituency, namely, the virtue of a Christian charity, that boars all things and endures all things with a cheerfulness and a general turning of the other cheek to the smiter past all praise. Sir George Grey having for years dono his utmost to spite Canterbury in every particular, having at all times held up its inhabitants as examples of all that is undesirable, having robbed it of large sums of money, and having, in short, sworn undying hatred to the City of tho Plains, tho electors of that city show by their votes that all shall be forgiven and forgotten. They fold the "old man eloquent" to their electoral bosoms, they hang on his words, they devour his old stories, they swallow his explanations, and they place him at the hoad of the poll. Anything more touching it is impossible to conceive. It is not mere forgiveness, it ascends into a far loftier sphere of charity. Other constituencies have been narrowly watching the Christchurch electors. Inasmuch, however, as thero are certain heights to which the world at large generally despairs of ascending, it is moat improbable that they will be at all influenced by the action of this constituency. Tho electorates alluded to will metaphorically tap their foreheads with a smile and proceed as if nothing had happened. And it may here be remarked that the electors of Christchurch are likely to place too high a value on the return of Sir George Grey and Mr. Andrews. As there were only two Opposition candidates in the field, the loss of one seat was, of course, looked for, so that the return of the two gontlemen above alluded to merely means the gain of one more seat by tho Ministerialists than was calculated on. As to any great lesson being taught by tho returns, that of course, is absurd. The majority gained by the Premier is so small that as an indication of any great current of popular thought it is valueless. Moreover, out of about 4000 electors, onjy about 2500 voted. Outside constituencies will be amused at tho touching trust in their old enemy shewn by the majority, but at the same time they will recognise that the barometrical reading of public feeling has been more influenced by the factor of organization than by that of any decided popular tide one way or the other. The most disagreeable feature in yesterday's elections was the exclusion of Mr. Richardson's name from the topmost three. Mr. Richardson has dono good service, not only to Canterbury but to tho colony at large. As an able critic of any public works policy that may be on hand his value is recognised and appreciated. His absence from Wellington will be a loss to the community. Tho House of Representatives has, unfortunately, not many experts in the many branches of the business it has to undertake and can ill afford to lose one of tho most activo and conscientious of that class.

We feel sure that no one -will grudge Mr Andrews his elevation. The " Good Templar ticket" has hoisted him well up the scale, and he has now an opportunity of striking out boldly into tho sea of general politics, and letting his friends and admirers wonder at his budding political talents. Mr Andrews' political debut in tho Provincial Council would lead us to expect that, although the Christchurch constituency will have no particular reason to be proud of him, they will uever be called on to blush for their representative. Mr Andrews was a pleasantly negative member when sitting under the gorgeously painted roof of our Chamber on tho banks of the Avon. And if he never " set the Thames on fi.ro " in Christchurch, it is still less likely he will do so in Wellington. He will probably join that silent brigade of the Government voters who are the most useful of all for party pnrpo3es. If he becomes politically educated to a sufficient extent to see through the fallacy of Greyism, we feel confident that he will act up to his convictions. Otherwise he will cheerfully oboy the nod of tho Knight of Kawau. Although it is probable that he will not, like Mr. Sydney Taiwanga of Wellington, declare his desire to die for Sir George Grey, yet he will probably offer to go as near that consummation as may be found convenient. With regard to the general prospects held out by the elections as far as they have gone, it is very evident that tho hopes which induced the Premier to appeal to the country were totally without foundation. Seventy-six out of eightyeight members have now been elected, and of these, as far as the views of those chosen can bo ascertained, thirty-seven belong to the Opposition, thirty-six to the Ministerial side, and three are doubtful. That Sir George Grey can carry on the Government of the country with parties in this condition is, of course, quite out of the question. The country has declared against him and his policy. It has weighed him in the balance, and lias found hiin wanting.