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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 14 December 1880, Page 2

Is an article commenting on the boisterous reception that was given Mr. Wakefield on Saturday night last, when he essayed to address the electors at Temuka, the Timaru Herald says :—" .... they took the

very worst means to gain the end presumably aimed- at, i.e., of getting their member to resign. Mr. Wakefield is far too old a politician to be. frightened into pursuing any course of action by a set of noisy blackguards at a public meeting; and the very fact that a kind of coercion has been attempted will draw to him friends who, perhaps, he could not otherwise have reckoned on." Excepting the expression "noisy blackguards," we entirely concur in the foregoing opinions. There is nothing to be gained by drowning a representative's voice. Such an expedient is generally the resort of those who have a weak cause to support. It is not quite consistent with vaunted British fair play to howl down any man, and more especially should the mercy of an aud once be extended to a member of the Houie of Uuprc-oentatives. We can fully understand that Mr. Wakefield's conduct last session has created surprise amongst his constituents. Mr. Wakefield comported himself as though he "was a firm believer that "silence.is golden" to those in political straits. It was distressing to witness the total political prostration of a man gifted with such powers. Day after day for three months he walked into the House and walked out again without uttering a syllable. His reticence was not due to inability to deal with the questions at issue. He will, perhaps, explain, when he is allowed to speak, that the prolixity of other members deterred him from taking part in the debates. But nothing should be allowed to paralyse a representative who feels that he has a duty to perform and the ability to perform it. Mr. Wakefield is not oblivious of either. We must look further for the real cause of his silence. It was no individual malady that rendered him speechless. The party of which he is a prominent member had a difficult game to play. They were flying in the teeth of the country. Their policy would not admit of discussion. The shedding of light upon it would only increase their unpopularity. They could only hope to prevent shipwreck by reducing canvas or piling it on. They alternately did both. There was no fixity of purpose. Their instability was a pitiable eight, and created comisseration even in the ranks of their natural opponents. They made a feint at generalship. Each Government supporter had his instructions, and when he threw off the thraldom of corrupt political obligation, the gruesome faces of Ministers proclaimed that he had done so. 1 his is not legislation, It is political trickery, and a scandal on our Constitution, whilst it is a disgrace to those who gave it their silent; approbation. Neutral-tinted politicians are neither " flesh, fish, nor good red herring." Away with them, and lot the seats in our representative institution be occupied by men who not only have opinions, but have the courage and the .honesty to express them. The pledge of the caud-.date is that he will exert every faculty of which he is possessed in the service of his constituency and the Colony. When the representative fails Lo fulfil this pledge he should forfeit all confidence. Mr. Wakefield appears to have violated his hustings promises. But he is entitled to a dispassionate hearing at the hands of his constituents. This is the tribunal that should try with dignity, if with severity. No man should be condemned unheard. Even a representative who to all appearance has sold his constituency is entitled to make his defence, and upon the merits of that defence he should be judged. There is nothing to be gained by noisy demonstration, except contempt. The constituency that descends to such a meaningless and vulgar expedient precipitates itself to a lower level than the unfaithful "representative." Besides, Mr. Wakeiield is not by any means a stranger to his constituents. His political proclivities are as familiar as household words throughout the Colony, and surely the electors of Geraldine were not ignorant of them when they placed him at the top of the poll when he last sought their suffrages. They have themselves to thank for the nonchalance which Mr. Wakefield displayed instead of activity in their interests and those of the Colony. Let Mr. Wakefield be heard. Condemnation may be certain ; but let him not be condemned without a hearing.