POLITICAL HIGHWAYMEN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5263, 5 February 1878, Page 3

POLITICAL HIGHWAYMEN.

Mr. Sheehan's “ rough aud ready oratory ” is alluded to by the Australasian as follows ; —An indisposition for plain speaking cannot, as a rule, be charged against colonial politicians. Mr. Berry and his party are proud to designate themselves revolutionists, aud a member of the New Zealand Ministry recently desiring to say something complimentary of himself and his'colleagues, called them “highwaymen.” The manner in. which the phrase was used is rather curious, , as indicating the ethical principles which are avowed by the Grey Ministry. The speaker was Mr. Sheehan, and the subject was the action of the Government in seizing 1 the provincial laud fund. He said, “ While the late Government had come behind the South like a common prig stealing a pOoket-handerchief, they had acted the part of bold highwaymen, and the South had met thorn by acceding to their demand.” We do not wish to express any opinion for or against this, appropriation of the local land' fund to the purposes of the general revenue. When the intention was attributed to the Atkinson Government the Opposition made the air shrill with their shrieking, in which “ robbery ” was the mildestterm employed. Mr. Sheehan still admits —or rather, asserts—that it' was robbery, but calls on the public to admire the dashing style in which it was done. Moreover, the South “ had met them by acceding to their demand.” Many bushrangers in early Australian days might have urged this had they thought! of doing so, : and have attempted to mitigate ' the character of their proceedings' by instancing thi promptitude with - which their demands were “ met” ■by the coach passengers when they exhibited their revolvers. But the foolish bushrangers were, deficient in legal draining, and never thought of this palliation of their doings. Those moralists who are ready to point out the demoralising influence on youth of plays and novels of the “Jack Sheppard” order might usefully turn their attention to the moral effect of a Minister of > the Crown challenging the admiration of' the community for himself and his fellow. Ministers on the ground of their resemblance to a band; of highwaymen.- Pope was struck by seeing in his days “all our fools aspiring to be knaves,” but it was reserved for Mr. Sheehan to make the achievement of this stage of development a claim to popular sympathy aud esteem. It is only the‘ extreme modesty of Mr. Berry which prevents him, in his capacity of deader of the gang of Treasury filibusters, from designating himself “ first robber.” And as pn general grounds.it is’desirable to assume the virtue of honesty, whatever may be your deficiencies in that respect, ,we trust that Mr. Berry will maintain the 'reticence and selfabegnation he has hitherto so laudably displayed iu this direction. .