PARTY POLITICS.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 514, 1 May 1880, Page 2

PARTY POLITICS.

Some party journals are abusing each other like pickpockets, and it is all about politics. A Dunedin paper “ lets fly” in this slylo : “ The likelihood of Sir William Fox regaining a seat in the House of Representatives seems to have driven the Wanganui Herald furious. That journal, never very remarkable for its good manners, has, we understand been of late more than ordinarily insolent, spiteful, and snappish. The present Ministry are of course its aversion, not to say its abhorrence ; and it is little wonder, therefore, that the candidature of Sir William Fox for Rangitikei should have stirred the Herald's bile.” So much for,, Dunedin journalism, Nbvy Wanganui. The party

journal in that enlightened and ambitious down can find nothing more decent, to say than this : Stirred up by our recent pvotestjagainst his neglect, Mr Ballauco has determined, very much against his liking, to address his constituents. He is in rabid opposition to? the present Ministry. - He regards Mr Bryce with an evil eye?on account of?the position he has achieved, and would, we have no doubt, be rejoiced if some judgment overtook the Native Minister and compelled him to abandon politics and confine himself to farming. He ridicules and reviles Sir William Fox in a manner which indicates clearly both hatred and fear. Ws are sure Mr Ballance will not stand upon trifles when lie comes to address the electors. Tie will attempt to make out a case at the sacrifice of every vestige of truth.

Against this kind of party journalism the more intellectual readers should make a stand. The colony is too far advanced in education and the decencies of public life to tolerate vituperative slang. Even average settlers have outgrown boorish abuse, and have ceased to care for the wretched malice of stupid partisan politics. Givens hen'estopinion, and leave slander alone. , Pnt yonr arguments as keenly as you will, and polish your wit till it scintillates, but do drop this miserable calling of du-ty* names.