The Hastings Standard Published Daily. THURSDAY, FEB. 25, 1897. SCREECHING ENTHUSIASM.

Hastings Standard, Issue 256, 25 February 1897, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily.

THURSDAY, FEB. 25, 1897. SCREECHING ENTHUSIASM.

For the cause that lacks assistance,! I■"<ir the \vronnslhat need resistance, Fur the future in the distance. And the good that we can do.

Tin colonies have .suddenly awakened and now realise that the Queen will this year celebrato her record rei-jn. When the official invitation to the Premier-: to take part in the festivities wsw received thefts waa apparent a callou-j indifference, and ..nthnsia-m was heiow z<ro. The Press with few* exceptions in New Zealand su jested that the Imperial invitations .should !>e accepted, «*\• n if it entailed a rt.oii amount of inconvenience, and there h now evidence that Mr Seddon will, if it is at all possible, go to London. But with the I'fossihle aecvptatic • of the invitation a wonderful amount of ocr etching enthusiasm ho* tleve-

loped, and there is much danger that we shall overdo it altogether. It must not be overlooked that so far only the Premier has been the receipient of the official invitation, and if he can and does accept the high favor it would be just and proper for the country to foot the bill. But some screeching enthusiasts are not content with the Premier going to England, but desire to provide a holiday trip for others, and it has been suggested that a representative of the Native race should also go Home. The Hon. James Carroll is named and it is asserted that he will accompany the Premier. There can be no objection to Mr Carroll visiting London provided he does so at his own expense, but if it is seriously put forward that the colony should pay his expenses as well as those of the Premier then it is necessary to protest.

First of all Mr Carroll is not a representative of the Native race. He represents a white constituency and in test of blood he is deficient. In the next place place there has been no invitation given to include a Maori, and to foist another delegate upon the Imperial authorities is a piece of impertinence. Further we are not so flush of money that we can afford any lavish expenditure in free trips. Upon all grounds Mr Carroll would be objectionable. If it is necessary and the Home authorities agree to the proposition of a Maori representative being present at the royal festivities, then let us choose a true and full blooded Maori. Mr Hone Heke, M.H.R., would be a more suitable representative in every way to Mr Carroll, and if a Maori does go to London we hope it will be Mr Heke. But those who are prompt in suggestions which tap the pockets of the taxpayer should remember that there is such a person as the Leader of the Opposition, whose responsibilites are second only to that of the Premier, and whose position in the political world is on the same level as that of Ministers.* It would be a graceful and sensible suggestion to ask the Leader of the Opposition to accompany the Premier. It would be courteous and creditable to a degree, and we fancy that the taxpayers would not object to the expense. If Mr Carroll goes to London the colony must pay for the trip, that being so, let us see that the expenditure of the taxpayers' money is fairly apportioned between the political parties. The Premier and the Leader of the Opposition would be a fair representation, but the Premier and the Hon. " Jimmy " would be just a little too one sided. We have no doubt the Hon. James Carroll would like to visit London at the expense of the colony, and we fancy there are many more in high office who would be as willing to undertake the journey " on the nod," but these ambitions travellers must be suppressed. Mr Carroll must furnish stronger evidence than has already been given be£pre the colony would be justified in spending the proverbial brass farthing in sending him to London.