THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1882. MR. SEDDON'S POLITENESS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2560, 22 June 1882, Page 2

THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1882. MR. SEDDON'S POLITENESS.

Lr there is one member of the Hones mora than another entitled to be regarded as the pink of courtesy and politeness it is Mr. Seddon. Representing, as he does, a very aristocratic constituency, it was of course to be expected tbat two such insignificant individuals as Messrs. Joubert and Twopeny, who have erected in our midst a range of cowsheds, would meet with the contempt they merit. It may, of course, be regarded as problematical whether the privilege of Parliament was ever contemplated to extend so far as to enable a member to call two gentlemen adventurer.-;. As to the good taste which prompted the insult we will say nothing, bnt it does seem quite uncalled for, that when men of enterprise bring into our midst a gathering of articles from all parts of the world, they should be branded as adventnrers by a person from whom, better things might have been expected. Perhaps, however, Mr. Seddon meant what he said in a Pickwickian sense, and that when—as we hope he will—he comes to Christchurch, a few minutes conversation with M. Joubert and a walk through the Exhibition will considerably alter his views. Thanks to Messrs. Joubert and Twopeny, we have had in our midst a creditable Exhibition, which, had it bean projected by the Government, might have cost, as others have done elsewhere, thousands of pounds. The selection of Christchurch for the Exhibition has caused a large amount of money to be spent, and also has brought to our shores a number of visitors, who may probably open up new industries and new business relations between New Zealand and other parts of the world. Messrs. Joubert and Twopeny have risked thousands of pounds in the venture without asking the Government of the colony for a shilling. All they have had has been the use of a site which otherwise would not have been utilised, and yet forsooth an " honorable member" chooses to style them adventurers. We need not say more on the subject. If Mr. Seddon will condescend to pay Christchurch a visit, and thus, for a while at least, sojourn in themidst of civilisation, we fuel assured that he will learn a great deal more, especially tbat pcliteness and consideration for the feelings of others which he appears now so much to lack. Nothing, we feel, would give M. Joubert greater pleasure than to act as tutor in these accomplishments to Mr. Seddon, and we wonld suggest that, in addition to the programme of entertainments, which appears to have given great satisfaction in Wellington, an item shall be inserted—- " A Quarter of an Hour with M. Joubert by Mr. Seddon." This, we venture to> say, will ba one of the most popular of the entertainments provided for the members during their approaching visit. THE STANMORE ELECTION. Whilst to a certain extent feeling that the treatment Mr. Cowlishaw has met with at the hands of the Stanmore electors is not wholly undeserved, we yet trust that there will be no more of it. The electors have the whole matter in their own hands. They can, should they think fit, go to the ballot box and there record their opinion of Mr. Cowlishaw, which will be a far mora substantial method than makiDg noises at meetings. If the tactics which appear to have been carried out at the two meetings held are pursued, those opposed to Mr. Cowlishaw will simply be putting him in the position of a martyr. He will be able to use with considerable force the fact that he has had no opportunity of putting fully and fairly before the electors his views, and it may bo that the love of fair play, which, in some instances, is exceedingly strong, may cause many votes to be given to him which would not otherwise be. Again, it is a very bad precedent, the introduction into our political contests of a most undesirable larrikin element, and we trust that the good sense of the electors of Stanmore will prevent any repetition of what has occurred. As wo have said, the ballot box is the proper plaeo for the electors to show their appreciation or otherwise of any candidate, and not by hooting, howling, and almost physical violence, which we cannot but strongly reprobate. If Mr. Cowlishaw addresses the electors again, wo trust a quiet hearing will be accorded to him, so that he, as well as the other contestants for the seat, may have a ehnnce of putting before the electors his views on public matters. To refuse this is to decline to do an act of simple)

justice, and we feel sure the thinking portion of the electors of Stanmore will agree with us that it is time to put an end to tho somewhat disgraceful scenes whioh have lately heen enacted at the meetings. If persisted in, of course, th» friends of Mr. Cowlishaw will take measures to interfere with other gatherings, and so the political arena will be turned into a kind of prize ring, where main strength and capacity for making the most noise will take the place of intellectual superiority. This is a slate of things which cannot but be deplored, and we certainly hope that an end will be put to anything like rowdyism on such occasions.