A MOST UNFAIR REFLECTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1621, 29 January 1886, Page 4

A MOST UNFAIR REFLECTION.

~i\ /? ~i < ''■■T7 .*. -" : r ' Li \\ \ The Martonpaper'is famed for its unjust aspersions directed' against its' personal or political opponents.. In its .issue of laßtciVening it'attacka Mr John Stevens for having, as a member of theWanga6ui/E,iu6atinn" Board} moved the resolution for the -appointment of a subcommittee to deal with the Foxton SchoorbuSiness, which has .now attained such a degree of notoriety. The Marton .paner would move Heaven and earth to ( brim* Mr Stevens into ridicule, con-J tempt, or opprobrium; It has given ample, proof of its ; .••bitterness' towards him. It tried its* leyel best to keepjiiru out of the Education Board, and, of i course, as: usualf ailed. The person who inspires its views, opinions, or denunciations, as the case may be, aot long ago signed a memorial to have a certain resident *pf Bulls placed on the Commis. sion of the Peace, with the object, of course, of keeping Mr Stevens m the background.. The :memofial was forwarded anxT'duly acknowledged, but Mr Stevens was appointed. As may _be supposed the. cagrin. of the,, .principal 1 mover knew no bounds, and his' friends - were anxious on his account. Now, grounds have been discovered on which to base another attack. Mr-' StevensV censor -wishes to know why-Mr Stevens moved for the appointment of a committee, 'and affirms- that* by his doing so "he. threw the strongest possible doubt upon' the written ;< statement or Mr~Bi^-. don." Now, , did anyone ever hear such rubbish ? Is •it any' wonder the Rangitikei people wish to see another newspaper established, when the present exponent: of public opinion can _ give ex-^ pression to ' such ' absura nonsense, jit .goes on to say :^" Mr .Stevens | has established a most dangerous precedent," and proceeds to argue that every similar school difficulty must be; referred to a Committee .Verily, how true the saying that'thoße whom the gods wish to desstroy they first drive mad. The simple facts are -that the Board was divided iin opinion as;to the merits .--of the Foxtpn School question. Oh* the one hand, there was the Inspector's very damaging report, and ! bnrthe pther ; the Foxton School Comriiiittee's absblute|denial of r the Inspector's animadversion's, coupled with, serious* imputations against that official. In what better way c ; ould the Bpard w arrive at correct conclusions^iriithe^matteV than ' th'e appbintuient of a committee to^investigate the whole affair? Has not the result proved that no more satisfactory solution ottha difficulty could have been arrived hi i? The Cbmmittee.'s report has placed the blame on the right shoulders, justified the Inspector's strictures, and put hiui right, both, ,wi|h| the public and* the 1 Education I Board.'l But m order to have another 'fling at its bete > notV-^-the former member for Rarigitik,ei, the ivowed.organ; of his political opponents must needs raise' entirely false issue's, jal- > together misrepresent facts, .and submit possible contingencies m the last. degree . remote and improbable. Tosuch disreputable journalistic tactics retribution, stern and decisive, ihust come sooner or. later.