THE YELLOW PUP. Its Intrusion into Politics.

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 77, 21 December 1901, Page 8

THE YELLOW PUP. Its Intrusion into Politics.

" f¥] HE Yellow Pup' is an expresX. sive figure of speech invented by that lively paper the Sydney "Bulletin.' to designate the particular element or spirit m public affans which is bitten with the cr <zy notion that the profession of Roman Catholicism is an unpardonable offence, and that Roman Catholics are m some peculiar way dangerous to the public weal It says much for the level-headedness and the sound, good sense of New Zealanders that the malady is almost unknown amongst them But Mr W Earnshaw, one of the candidates for the vacant Caversham seat, seems disposed to give it a start * ♦ * At any rate, he has attracted attention to himself by roundly asserts ing that Sir Joseph Ward and his associates have been "delib rately stuffing 7 ' the railway workshops and department, the Post and Telegraph

Department, and the whole of the service generally with Roman Catholics Seeing that Sir Joseph Ward ' is the only Roman Catholic Minister in the New Zealand Cabinet, Mr. W. Earnshaw gives Sir Joseph credit for possessing quite a remarkable influence ovei his colleagues • • • The fact is, the Minister for Railways has, according to the would-be membei foi Caversham, "nobbled" the Ministry, and deluded the people wn..e he crammed the service with Roman Catholics This would be highly humorous reading if it did not impute such unworthy action. and cast so mean a reflection upon Sir Joseph Ward Allegations like these suggest a religious intolerance that can be very well dispensed with. Mr Earnshaw has not attempted to establish his case, and therefore the public will scout his assertions with contempt, as only likely to make capital out of religious bigotry. If he is so sure of his ground, let him give facts and figures to justify his contention • • • Perhaps, if Mr Earnshaw had imagined an undue preponderance of any religious denomination other than Roman Catholics, he would have considered it unnecessary to expose the alleged iniquity. Are we to infer that appointments to the public service must be regulated by a strict regard to the numerical strength of the various sects in the body politic l If so, there is a busy field of labour for politicians of a ecrtam kind. If the Anglicans have the advantage in point of numbers, Mr Earnshaw 's duty is clear. He must pick out a Minister of Anglican belief, and accuse him of "stuffing," to be consistent • • • If appointments are to be made on a sectarian basis, as seems to be Mr. Earnshaw s idea, then it will require the com putative skill of a registrar general to fairly distribute civil service positions* Sir Joseph Ward has not allowed the candidate for Caversham to get much of a start with his allegations about "stuffing the civil service" with Roman Catholics. He has given them a flat and a positive contradiction That he has satisfied the public that he does not possess the alleged power of " stuffing " the service is certain. We believe that the statements made by a responsible and highly tiusted Minister are of more value than the bare assertions of an irresponsible candidate for Parliamentary honours. • • • It is apparent that Mr Earnshaw'a leligious point of view is not a sudden inspiration He reminds the public that he had the same kind of bias when he sat in Parliament previously He is the discoverer of this alleged "stuffing" iniquity. No one else has observed it He might have patent rights for his idea, but people will hardly rush the invention. • • • The introduction of a sectarian spirit into politics is to be discouraged. The people of New Zealand are, we believe, not partial to extremists. Mr. Earnshaw, in dealing with the reputation of Ministers and others might use a little more fairness or tact, for, however much he may believe he is assisting the country by unearthing this bogey, the public will, in the utter absence of proof, prefer to believe the word of a trusted Minister, and conclude that the alleged "stuffing" of the civil service exirts only m the imagination of one of the candidates for Caversham.

The Wellington Steam Ferry Company's favourite excursion steamers, Duchess, Duco, and CountesB, will run daily to Day's Bay during the Christmas and New Year holidays, at short intervals ; also to Seatoun and Karaka Bay. The company, having reduced its fares to one shilling return to Day's Bav, and sixpence return to Seatoun and Karaka Bay, these excursions will, no* doubt, be well patronised by the public.