THE OPPOSITION PRESS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 29, 12 August 1871, Page 16

THE OPPOSITION PRESS.

[From the Southern Cross ] The tone of the Opposition Press of New Zealand affords, to say the least, a curious study. We do not question the right of anyone to criticise, and even vigorously condemn, that which is opposed to his own way of thinking; but, to any stranger in New Zealand, and impartially noting and reflecting on events, there must appear something striking in the peculiar form of detraction in which the Opposition Press of the colony, with scarcely an exception, indulges. It is not so much with reference to measures initiated by the present ministry, or to the general policy of the Government, but with reference to the individual members of the Ministry, . the individuals composing their party, and notably with reference to that portion of the press of the colony which gives support to measures*of the Government. It is impossible to read the leading articles of the Opposition Press in the South without being struck with this remarkable form of Opposition. It is not our present purpose to defend the characters either of the members of the ministry, of their supporters, or of the journals that have espoused their cause. We presume they may be fairly regarded as having as many imperfections as are to be found in other parties. But that honesty should have entirely deserted the ranks of the supporters of the Government, and be found only in opposi tion, seems so strange that it must be impossible for it to escape the notice of an impartial spectator. That a party without any principles of honor and honesty should have seized the reins of government; that the unprincipled should have banded together to support them in the possession of power; and that not one representative of the Press should be found to dare to defend the party in power save those journals that have been bribed for the purpose, appears such a monstrous abuse of free institutions, that one naturally wonders can such things be. But more than this, that all these journals should have been so corrupted by contact with the governing party that their utterances are feeble and spiritless and pointless, and that education, purity of diction, force of argument, vigour of tone, and thorough independence should be found only on the side of her Majesty’s Opposition, is even more remarkable. We are not exaggerating : such is really the spirit of the Opposition South ern Press. Some believe —with' our Superintendent-—that the colony is driving on inevitable destruction ; others profess to see that the colonisation scheme of the present Ministry must produce such acatastrophe, which otherwise might be averted; but all agree that the recalling of their party from the cold shades of Opposition to repose upon Treasury benches is the only panacea. We do not quarrel with this belief. The fable is an old one, and is founded on a just appreciation of human nature, which teaches that there is “ nothing like leather.” But if our protesting would have any effect we would deprecate this peculiar form of controversy. It is not confined to journals of an inferior class, but some of established and acknowledged character, that have won a place for themselves in Hew Zealand by being ably and well conducted, have latterly descended to this unfair kind of controversy ; and, in some cases that could be mentioned, the coarseness of invective that has characterised the writings of those who have obtained access to the editorial columns reveals unmistakably personal disappointment and chagrin. This tone in the Opposition Press is to be regretted. Far be it from us to deprecate vigorous writings ; but coarse ness is not vigor. And insinuations of dishonesty in a political opponent, and

depreciation of individuals, or of opposing journals, are not argument. It may be assumed that the™ are worth and ability and high souled purpose in all parties; and, with the serious and interestingquestionsnow awaiting solution and which all are desirous of solving in a measure such as will advance the whole country and all parties, it would surely be wise, as far as is possible, to take the noble advice ot the leader of thtf Opposition, “ to bury the wretched past,” and strive after a nobler and a kindlier and a happier future.