The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1880.

Temuka Leader, Issue 328, 11 December 1880, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1880.

To-night Mr Edward Wakefield, member | for Geraldine, will address his constituents I in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka. On a former occasion he had fp be solicited to do so. Before the last session ha contented himself .with publishing an address in his oracle the Timaru Herald. On the present occasion he comes forward of his own accord and uninvited. When the ■ would rather receive his resignaj tion, he invites them to come and hear | him give an account of what he has I done (!) during the last session of Parliament. The member for Geraldine is happy ‘in his choice of a time to deliver his address, a time when politic-sure almost forgotten, a time when men ere so absorbed with thoughts of , their -own business, that they can give no room for thinking of the deeds or misdeeds of their representatives. He also has chosen a night when be will, be able to get a crowd together. There are so many men knocking about idle who will be glad to spend an idle hour when it costs them no- . thing, to have the chance of a gooc] laugb. But except these, we do not think many, others beyond. Mr Wakefield’s personal friends and a sprinkling of ladies, who are fond of a little display, will trouble themselves to go and hear the blarney that must of necessity fill up of a good deal of his time, Nevertheless a vote of confidence will very likely be the result, just as it is truly said “You can get hundreds of‘men to. sign a petition, and within an hour get the same men to sign another petition praying for something the very opposite.” This done, a good coloring up by himself of his speech before it goes to press, and a good readable speech, makes those at a distance think Mr Wakefield reigns in the hearts of the Geraldine electors. Is it so 1 Are there a score of electors, worthy of the name, who are satisfied with their member’s conduct, or rather neglect of their interests during the last session ? - Will this tiddley winking with the interests of an intelligent community again go down i We hope not. Mr Wakefield is not devoid of ability, but want of firmness and decision of character, it is to be I feared, will ever mar his influence as u

public man. Independence he lias of a certain kind, and at times he exhibits it to an extent that satiates even his,friends; but this independence is not genuine, because it is engendered by, hate, consequently all the fire of his wrath burstsout in this so called independence. But when it comes to a question which effects Mr Hall, Mr Stafford, or any other man on whose coat sleeve he hangs, then an exhibition of the most fulsome servility demonstrates very plainly his true character as a public man. Some people have suggested the advisability of petitioning the Government not to call the Parliament together before the next general election. We regret to say, however necessary and < wise this counsel may be to save the country a waste of money, the present Government would not consent to it, and a new Governor would not rule so high handed. The Hall Government particularly one member of it—Mr Had—knows too well how to play his cards, to allow a case to go against him by default. Much care will bo taken to present a tempting bill of fare next session. A savoury'morsel will be presented to refractory members and constituencies, in order to meltdown their opposition, and thus allow the Hall Ministry to go to the country with a good cry. The membeS-for Geraldine, as an ardent supporter of the present Ministry, has doubtless some secret motive for attempting on this occasion to appease the wrath of his constituents. Yet whatever be the result of the meeting, we state it advisedly it would be most accepabie to the electors were he to send in his resignation, and give place to some one with at least a sprinkling of political honesty.