The Temuka Leader. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1881.

Temuka Leader, Issue 709, 13 December 1881, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1881.

When the Hall-Rolle-ton Government through the ratting of the four Auckland Members, got themselves squeezed into the New Zealand Cabinet, they were as proud as- if they had gained their seats by honorable means. At that time this journal pointed out the iniquity, and said that, like like all objects gained by crooked means, no good would come of it. By an subserviency, and a determination to swallow eve’T affront, they m maged to keep their seats and pocket, their salaries, notwithstanding the disgust at such: truculency manifested in every part of the colony. Although rank Con servative, they were jesuitica) enough to adopt the Liberal measures framed by their predecessors in office, the consequence being that as the Liberal party could not honssJy oppose their own measures, the usurpers were able to command a majority to pass them, and they forthwith dubbed themselves Liberals. Backed as they were by the Bank of New Zealand, its coadjutator the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, coupled with the large landowners, and the monied classes, they naturally thought themselves secure for a long term of. office, and could consequently disregard the outcry of the middle and lower classes. The result of Friday’s election will, however, have taught them that the bees that make the honey (the industrious classes) can sting as well as work—that they can and will resent any unwarrantable interference with their rights. Retribution for their evil deeds has overtaken, them with a vengeance, They no doubt are adepts ait intrigue, and masters in subtlety, but such, a sweeping defeat as is shown by the body of Members returned for the new Ranliament, and the calibre of the same will: show them that they will have to deal; with men who are not to he trifled with. No Government that has ever ruled this colony has schemed more than the Hall-Roll ston Government to win support. Their friends in all parts have been rewarded, some in one way and-some in another. The halt, the maimed, the blind; have been dubb"d JJVs, and to make sure of » powerful majority, even in the Upper House, some of their most trusted supporters have been transported thit-her-in the full he'ief that they would be able to fill their places by new members How has the old ad) ge ‘ that the best laid schemes of men and mice gang aft agee,*' been verified. How are the mighty fallen ! The leader of the Auckland rats,, ton, has got his desserts. Over and over again have the Conservative journals tried to cram it down people’s throats that Liberals and' Conservatives were mi". In S nth Canterbury our. leading daily has fought the Ministerial battle till it has brought itself ncar'y to death’s door. i.huibrtess a rib reward has ben ,S:,r,.ii'h- 1 o-.0-ro c‘>; .yes of the mcnagc- { m-ntt, but {'•»• rk-mers have shown them Jjliat thi-y wi 1 uhonit .! Uuuio proceedings

present oc «sion given no uncertain sound. In inferring to the past election some time ago, we nave it as cmr opinion that it was .more than like y all tlie S null Canterbury cmistiiueuci-s would return new mem With one exception this has been the case. No election that has taken place in our time has been (•!■>■ ducted more-fairly th m that of F-iday hi>t.. No bribe"y, no coercion. Principle, adaptability, suitability to-.a constituency, honesty of purpose, has had a large share (.if men’s thoughts in the late contest, and has guided the electors in t heir choice of representatives. Touching- the Tcmuka election, the cry about combination given out by our late Member is unjust, and put forward by him in very had caste. In his speech, returning- thanks to his supporters, Mr Wakelield dwelt much on this point, hinting at Mr Haylmrsts withdrawal at the last moment as a dishonorable action. There is.ro unfairness in the transaction The Conservatives by a wellorganised combination took care not to present two candidates to one constr tuency, well knowing that it wuulo weaken the chance of the Ministerial candidate. The Liberals, on the contrary, have hitherto, been too much divided, hence the frequent defeat of the Liber.d cause. Mi Wakefield seems to have forgotten that it was a combination of the worst class that got the present Ministiy th ir seals, that, it has. been by intriguing and combinations that they were able to hold them at all, and that it was by an unjust railway tariff, taking the revenue of paying railways in the Middle Island to feed the dummies in the North Island, that they were enabled to secure that popularity necessary to their success, and also to redeem.their pledges given to the Auckland rats. Mr Wakelield also took care not to refer to the special train with its living freight of Conservative vumrs. Not he ! That would not have suited his purpose. Although the Studholmes, the Palmers, and other large landowners had been fully prepared to defeat the object of the Representative Bill to give only a chain e lo residents to vote — by making all the elections in one day—there was nothing dishonorable in this There was no combination in this misuse of capital- by Mr Wakefidu’s supporters. Taking it all through, Mr Wakefield came off but second best in everything. His parting speech betrayed an uncomfortable fueling, under defeat that did him no good. Tne battle was fairly fought and won. He should have bowed to the decision without comment. His fling, at the Catholics for giving a block vote was in bad taste, and will operate against him where er he goes. Even if the Catholics did give a block vote this would be only doing what other bodies were doing. Did not the Good Templars given block vole in the large towns ? Did not the Yictualleis’ Association do the same? Did not the squatting fraternity, and the large landowners and monied classes do the same? Whit bunkum, then, for Mr Wakefield to utter under defeat! The change, w.e repeat will, however, do Mr Wakefield goi d. His position as the Member for Geraldine lias nev\ r been a happy one. From the first he was distrusted, and although possessed of considerable ability ha lias- always had his. hands tied by subserviency to a party. We state again that if our late Member would only shake off these trammels, and come out. as an independent. Liberal, and study the interests of the majority instead of a class, he would yet be an honor to New Zealand, and make a name for himself worthy the name of Waicefield. Mr Postlethwaite, it cannot be denied, carried away the laurels. His candor and earnestness made him many converts. Tlie constituency is evidently, pleased with its choice, and we do believe he will do his best for the district, and will also .follow the Liberal leader in tne new Parliament His outspoken denial of having any understanding with Mr Hayhurst ought to have satisfied Mr Wakefield. The new Parliament will now have an opportunity of electing.a na.w Ministry from eatirdly new mutrrial. a plan which that able Member, Mr DeLatour, proposed some time age. The exclusion of so many of the old notabilitirs is a proof that the cuuntry will stand no mote humbug. New men wid also have the advantage that the colony will stand no more humbug New men will have this advantage—tnat they will not have 1 een corrupted. Mr Ormond and Mr Bnilance,. though, will, be missed.