South Canterbury Times. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1882.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3018, 29 November 1882, Page 2

South Canterbury Times. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1882.

Thk recent post-sessional speech of Mr M. W. Green, the member for Dunedin East, is, in a certain sense, a remarkable one. It encounters criticism of the most varied character : one section of the Press finds Mr Green eloquent, fearless, and honest, another thinks him a squeamish twaddler; some call Mr Green knave, others, fool. These utterances, however, are, for tho most part, made to suit the particular political proclivities of the journalist from whom they proceed. Apart from partisanship, however, there is that about Mr Green which makes him a study. He presents the spectacle of a refined Puritan, a sensitive public man, and a fastidious politician. There is a touch of Sir Eobert Peel about the young member. We have joined in the laugh against him “ many a time and oft.” He was so effusive, so gushing ; he would trot his sensitive conscience out so persistently, and the contrast, we are bound to say, looked so ludicrous in tie House, that the temptation to be amused was simply irresistible. The bare idea of a member of , Parliament having a conscience ! This wan a new sensation, and those who did not believe in the man’s sincerity sneered, while those who did laughed merrily at his simplicity. But Mr Green has run tho gauntlet, and he is a ton times better man lor his experience. He still follows his conscience, he no longer parades it. Yet he has much to acquire before he can expect to take the position to which his abilities undoubtedly qualify him to aspire. He is in a difficulty only experienced by certain minds. His sensibilities are abnormally strong, and bis fastidious conscientiousness, makes him somewhat timid in action. Wc venture to predict that experience and time will produce a m.arvellous change in Mr Green, Ho will acquire singleness and steadiness of purpose and conviction, while his conscience will lose none of its corrective power. He carried the flag of independence as long as it would float ; but everybody knows that political, independence is only a synonym for political uselessness. Wo are not. surprised that a mind so free from /guile as Mr Green’s would not attach iitself to the present

Ministry ; we are not surprised that it should be disposed to follow so honest a leader as Sir John Hall. We should he glad to know whether there is indied any truth in the rumour l hat Sir John intends forming a middle party ; for our own partweshould \v6lcomesuch a party under such a leader. Whichever party has Mr Green will have a man in earnest, an honest man. If he continues to cultivate his oratory, we predict that he will, in that department, be the most effective politician in the colony. Certain aspirants to popular favor, whom wo wot of, had better look to their laurels.

Councillor Hill’s remarks at the Council meeting last Monday evening, on the subject of town lighting, will have been read with approbation by a '"very considerable number of people ; for the statement made by him in reference to the southern end of the town, was simply a statement of fact. People might he robbed and murdered there lor want of light. In the event of an accident of any kind occurring, the perplexity and discomfort of the affair would he considerably augmented by the Egyptian darkness that prevails. The town has never been treated with any sort of liberality in the matter of lighting. Some Councillors were horrified at the idea of having a supply of 24 lamp-posts thrust upon them, “ because the Council would then be pestered with applications for lamps.” For our own part, we heartily welcome the 24 coming lamp-posts, on behalf of hundreds of the townspeople who, in the winter evenings, are obliged to “ walk by faith and not by sight ” ; and whose various neighbourhoods are in pitchy darkness half the nights in the year. We only hope the Council may he pestered with applications, and that the 24 posts may very soon be doing duty at dark corners.