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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4513, 7 September 1875, Page 2

A COKBE3PONDEOT of the NEW ZEALAND TIMES administers a rebuke to Mr. Header Wood. That gentleman not long since spoke of the oratory of a fellow-legislator as Wesleyan parsonish. This he did in disparagement. A correspondent now retorts that had Mr. Wood cultivated the society of Wesleyans in his youth he would have done so to the improvement of his manners in his riper years. And we are not disinclined to agree with our correspondent. There is absolute impudence in a member of a body by no means renowned for its good sense speaking disparagingly of Wesleyan parsons. Indeed, we could with much more justice perceive the force of a Wesleyan preacher rebuking another by telling him he resembled a member of the House of Representatives. There are not a few circumstances connected with the present condition of M.H.K.'s that would make the institution of such a comparison insulting to the preacher. And Mr. Wood forgets, besides, that when he talks of a member of Parliament being like a parson he at once indulges in a pot-and-kettleism, for it is not so long since we saw Mr. Wood's own eloquence described by a Southern contemporary as being more suited to the pulpit than the parliament. He has, in fact, just the style of some fifth-rate pulpit orator, in whom the possession of unlimited conceit atones for the absence of common sense. Mr. Wood, when speaking, always impresses a listener with the idea that Mr. Wood, at least, is convinced that no one but Mr Wood knows anything about the question at issue. Beyond this his style is commonplace, his method as flat as the surface of a Dutch oven, and his manner as enlivening as that of a mute at a funeral. Mr. Wood should not criticise oratory in others.

The use of the telegraph in a money crisis has been pointed out by the Economist :—When the American crisis of 1873 occurred, it was much mitigated by the use of the telegraph, which instantly conveyed the news to London, so that assistance could be rendered at once, while news of that relief being on the way could also be telegraphed to New York. The telegraph probably reduced considerably the total amount of money required to be sent from England, compared with what would otherwise have been necessary, and the knowledge that relief would be given also stayed the panic. The same use was obviously found for the telegraph, though on a smaller scale, in the case of the late crisis at Eio. "The intelligence received within the last few days has," says the Economist, "already caused the despa'tch of some bullion to Rio, and more will follow by next mail, and meanwhile news that this relief will be given has no doubt been transmitted to that capital. Probably the telegraph is even more useful now than it was in the case of the New York panic, because the distances are so much greater. If there had been no telegraph, we should not probably have heard of the Brazilian crisis at all for a month after it broke out, and another month would have been consumed in sending assistance, while that assistance must also have been sent very much in the dark without any knowledge of the real requirements of the Rio market, and it could not be known for another two months what the effect had been. Now the event is known, and the relief sent within a few days of the crisis, and the knowledge that relief is coming may also begin at once to act on the panic feeling. The economy thus arising to the great banks and merchants connected with Rio must be very great, while many of the worst evils of an aggravated and prolonged panic must be wholly prevented."

The Auckland Evening Star in its zeal for' truth, made a parade of a missent telegram the other day, and endeavored to prejudice the Government and a private individual. Its zeal was aroused by the fact that the telegram in question gave an unfavorable report of the Hutt meeting, at which anti-abolition resolutions were passed. But the Star in a subsequent issue, published the following telegram from its Wellington correspondent, descriptive of Mr. Stafford's meeting at the Hutt, which is neither more nor less than a tissue of utter falsehoods. The following is the telegram, and our readcrß can judge whether we have called it by its right name :; —" Great preparations made by Government party to make meeting at the Hutt victory for abolitionists, and official influences hard at work. Numbers brought from town and other places, and it is said free passages were provided by train: Considered to be great point if Fitz could be outflanked, so claqueurs and torches made ready, and confidently believed that more brought from other places than total number who voted for abolition. The chairman, who acted as a strong partisan, declared the resolution in favor of immediate aboli tion carried by a majority of twolve, while others who counted stoutly assert that the majority of hands was in favor of referring to country. Chairman's ruling caused great excitement and dissatisfaction. He abruptly closed the meeting so as to prevent re-count-ing. The Opposition claim the victory. The torches already prepared were lighted, and Ministerial party walked back to Btation in procession. Great amusement caused by fiasco in which Government preparations, ended." . . . . .