New Zealand Mail. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1871. THE WEEK.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 48, 23 December 1871, Page 10

New Zealand Mail. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1871. THE WEEK.

“ We take no note of tune, but by its flight.” It lias been less than a year since the fEst number of the Mail was issued, and before another number is published the Christmas of 1871 will be amongst the things of the past. We shall avail ourselves of the present opportunity, therefore, of wishing our readers the compliments of the season, and of explaining to them our views and objects. We have been successful in making this journal “a country newspaper for family reading ;” and we have made politics also one of its distinguishing features in order faithfully to fulfil the promise contained in the major division of its title, and in the hope that it might eventually become, not merely a provincial but really a New Zealand newspaper. It will have been observed, however, that in discussing political questions and public measures, we have endeavored to do so without any party purpose or personal bias. To enable us to accomplish a task at once so novel, so necessary, so delicate, and so difficult, we adopted at the outset this maxim for our guidance : —That, in a journal aiming to be impartial, and desiring to secure a general circulation, the interests of particular persons, parties, classes, and localities must be viewed as secondary and subordinate to those of the community at large. It would have been a far easier task to support or condemn this public man, that political party, or

80me particular interest, than to discuss the principles of public measures and their bearings on the present and future interests of the colony ; but we attempted the latter not because it was the easier and more agreeable, but because it was the better and more beneficial course. Our political articles, consequently, have been less spirited, personal, and declamatory, but, wo trust, not less useful on that account. The character of public men is perhaps of even more consequence than the character of their measures ; but it is more just to judge the former by the latter than to adopt the contrary and the more usual practice. Too much trust has of' late years been put in the observance of the mere negative virtues. To abstain from doing what is forbidden is one thing, the doing what is commanded another. The fear of doing wrong is, without doubt, a proper feeling; but having the courage to do right, in spite of all impediments, is, both in public and private life, a much rarer quality. We have endeavored to possess tliis courage in spite of Do Foe’s prediction as to the fate which awaits the impartial writer. If we have not been always successful we have at all events the satisfaction of feeling that we* have at last made the attempt. The Press has been called the Fourth Estate ; but it has in fact assumed the functions which formerly belonged more or less to the other three. As its power and influence extend, so also do the duties and responsibilities of its conductors. For public opinion to attain a high standard the public press must first raise such a standard. We have never lost sight of this truth while endeavoring to supply the public with a sound political as well as agricultural and family newspaper ; and w'e have the satisfaction of knowing that our efforts in this direction have been appreciated. Our subscribers every week are increasing in number, and it is gratifying to feel that there are now but very few families in the province who are not occasional readers if not regular subscribers of the Mail. Trusting we shall jog along with them on our journey iu the future as pleasantly as wo have done in the past, wa now take advantage of the season, and of this halting place, to wish them all “ A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !” We have received No. 25 of Hansard containing reports of several important debates not before published, and we must confess only a cursory perusal of them has tended to modify our opinion with regard to the usefulness of that publication. We should not be able to form an accurate opinion of the character and conduct of the members of either House by the bare reports which are published in the newspapers. This is more particularly the case as regards the votes and proceedings of the members of the Upper House, whose sayings and doings are but seldom ever noticed. Our opinion of that august body is not improved by a fuller acquaintance with their proceedings. They are justly blamed for accepting payment for their services, a practice which is not likely to be much longer continued ; bi t their conduct in taking advantage of their position to protect, or promote, their own private interests, is still, more to be deprecated ; and, if we mistake not, will condemn them in public estimation, and destroy any beneficial influence their chamber should possess as an integral branch of the Legislature of the colony. It appears that a resolution was passed by the Legislative Council to the effect that in future Parliament should be convened not later than the month of May in each year, for reasons which appear to us to be alike forcible and convincing. Mr Waterhouse, being then a member of the Cabinet, recorded his vote in favor of the motion, and said that any Ministry would bo bound to regard the expressed wishes of the Legislature ; and if they failed to do so they must be prepared to bo called to account. If those wishes are regarded, which wo conceive, in this particular instance, they ought to be, the holding of the next session of the General Assembly at Dunedin is altogether out of the question. We have remarked in a previous paragraph on the advantages conferred on the public by the publication of Hansard ; bub it is obvious that such advantages cannot be realised if members sayings are not reported accurately. Without-having heard any of the debates, we know that this has not been always the case* Frequently in reading replies to remarks made by preceding speakers, we have turned to those speeches, and found no such remarks reported, though they must have been uttered in the House. Take, as an instance, the following observations of Mr Waterhouse in reply to what has been said by Mr Holmes regarding the people of Wellington. Mr Waterhouse said —“ His hon. friend, not content with comments on the resources of the province of

Wellington, and drawing a distinction between them and the resources of the province of Otago, must also draw a comparison between the inhabitants of the two provinces. He s3id that the inhabitants of the former were not to be compared with those of the latter.” Being naturally anxious to see what the hon. member had said about the people of Wellington, we referred to his speech, but there are no remarks of the kind there reported. As those remarks were of sufficient importance to be addressed to the Council, will the Hon. Mr Holmes favor us with them, in order that they may not be lost to the public ?' Owing to the abundance of feed the Christmas show of meat is superior this year to any which, has ever before taken place. There may have been large and fatter beevies, but never before so splendid a lot of young stock in such prime condition. The low price of dairy produce has had a very injurious effect not only on the prospects of small farmers, but on the retail trade generally. Shearing is now nearly over; hut a very large quantity of wool has yet to come in from the out-stations. On the whole the hay harvest has been successful and, the crops have been much above the average. Next week horse races, cattle shows, steam excursions, and picnics will take place to celebrate the great Christmas festival.