The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1881.

Temuka Leader, Issue 802, 17 December 1881, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1881.

With 10-day’s issue ends our connection with the Temuka Leader —which passes into the hands of others- both as proprietor and editor. Some three fears ago, seeing that the cause of Liberalism in this district suffered for want of an advocate in th ß Press, the only daily being an advocate of Tory principles, we purchased the Leader, then a bankrupt stock, with the determination to firmly and consistently do our utmost to counteract ti e pernicious effects of the dissemination by our contemporary of principles quite out of place in a colony possess ug so Liberal a constitution. The editor boldly tackled the subject, and our motto being ‘‘The truth v the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,” we fearlessly exposed every attempt to burk the truth, whether in connection with Liberalism or our own social position as a section of the Middle Island. Temuka needed such an advocate. For many years Temuka held a name for being on- of the :;.o;.t active little communities in the matter of politics, but cur clever contemporary was fast undermining her po'iticV: fabric. Dangerous diseases require strong cures.

j Nothing but'a plain, <>»fspoken condemn a* I then of such insidious conduct could effect j a cure, consequently ’.ve resolved logo in and win. The result of ihe Inst General Election brum-' the victor}’ ! Liberalism has triumphed ! our work is completed, and we now retire from the scene of strife satisfied that mir humble efforts to uphold the Liberal cause has iiad the desired effect. To our successors we leave the work in good form, and have no doubt the ciiise of the people will be ab‘y bandied. Socially, Tcinuita has not. advanced. Like most little communities unanimity is not its syllabus. Divisions destroy ils usefulness. There is too much of that clique spirit which destroys the usefulness of many bodies pr >ccti s< d in her ; 100 much of that ‘‘ neither lead nor drive ” principle, which is not likely to bt .eradicated during the present gene ration. In fearlessly denouncing crime and abm-e we have sometimes t-uftered pecuniarily as journalisis, as a small place like Tcinuka is not yet educated to the extent that it can stand the whole truth being told. Nevertheless we have stated it, and so relieved our own conscience from blame in the matter. During our three years’ advocacy of right against might we have made some enemies, and could these have shut our mouth it would have given them great pleasure. But, we ■are pmud to say, not withstanding considerable opposition, we have been noi only able to hold our own, but have ifredc the paper a profitable speculation as well even during a time of great financial depression —a fact which very few journals can lav claim to. And now, in taking farewell of our mnneions supporters, wo return them our most sincere thanks for 1 heir hind support in the past, and invite them to make a new compact with our successors. The Fiess is a powerful engine for good or evil, but when a journal sloops to eovei up crime, or gloss over any public abuse, or to advocate principles, widen only tend to corrupt a community and degrade it in the moral scale, it would tie better for the district so treated to be without such a teacher. The ten* • Uncy of the age is towards a looser line of conduct, both religiously and politica ly 1 die journal who oriea to check this downward tendency is sure to meet with opposition . The guiding rule of our conduct. however, las ewr been-; “On that which is right, and wait confidently for the result.” The culmin- ting point in our case has been in this respect, we are happy to say, most satisfactory, We now take our leave of the township conscious of having dime our duty fearlessly, and with the sati.-f.-vMion of knowing that such a course of conduct lias produced the most pleasing- result. Whatever can be said rf ire. it cannot be denied that wo have consistently advocated anil worked for the good of die (own of Temuka and district of wjiich A forms a part. As we never courted popularity, any show of opposition failed to drive us from our purpose to do our duty as settlers ; which we hold should bo a first principle with everyone. The, man who cares for nothing but miking money, or gaining apfbuse iva citizen whose acquaintance or friendship is not worth having. Finally, in bidding good-bye to our friends, we add our best wishes for their future health and prospedty, both socially 7 and politically, and shall be pleased to be put in a position to enable us to report progress in everything that is good.