The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1887.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1641, 1 October 1887, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1887.

The result of the elections is not at. all satisfactory to the cause of Liberalism. The best Government this colony has ever had has been defeated, and its head has been cat off by the defeat of Sir Robert Stout. Sir Robert’s defeat is the moat lamentable incident of the election, especially as be appears determined not to accept another seat. He was the main stay of the Government. His personal popularity, bis courteous manners, and bis many amicable qualities, as well as bis great abilities and the universal confidence felt in him, marked him as an ideal leader, and if he adheres to bis determination to retire into private life now Liberalism will not soon see his like again. There can be no doubt but that pecuniarily it would be to Sir Robert Stout’s advantage to withdraw from public life. Neither the honorarium nor the emoluments of office would repay him. He could, at any rate, make three times as ranch out of politics. To be Premier of the colony is an honorable position, but it is not every man who would pay £IOOO a year for it. There can be no doubt but that Sir Robert has lost that sum by being Premier, because he certainly would have made it out of his profession in addition to what, he received tor his services as Premier. The emoluments of office can, therefore, have no allurements for Sir Robert S out. Financially he has lost and would lose by it, and this marks him as a true and noble patriot, whoso chief aspiration is to be of service to hie fellow colonists. It is seldom men of such unselfish devotion to the interests of their fellow citizens rise op, and when they do it is a deplorable thing to see the public unappreciative of their services. Want of appreciation has bad effects ; it discourages the truly honest and patriotic, and deters many from taking an active part in public affairs. What incentive can Sir Robert Stout have to work for the good of the people after having been defeated in the last election f What can he say but that it is useless for a man to be bonast and earnest and self-sacrificing in the interest of the public ? Sir Robert Stout has had the most honorable career of any man in New Zealand. He has risen from the ranks, not by toadying to the neb and powerful, nor by truckling to prejudices, but by Lis own individual merit. At every step he has fought on behalf of the people, and though he has attained the most eminent position in the colony, and has had the highest honors conferred on him. it has not made the slightest change in him. He has the interests of tho people at large at heart now as honestly and earnestly as ever. The more some men rise in the world the less they think of those by whose assistance they have climbed up to their position, but this cannot be said of Sir Robert Stout. He is still the same; be feels for the hardships of the poor as well as ever, and would as readily assist them if be had it in bis power. He is a man whose services the Liberals of New Zealand cannot afford to lose, and hence the widespread regret which is expressed at his refusal to re* enter public life. The most regretable feature of the whole affair is that he is likely to leave New Zealand altogether. Previously to the election coming on at r«ll a legal firm in Melbourne, recognising his great abilities, offered him a share in its business should he desire to accept it. Be had not, U is said, any intention of accepting this, but it is feared now that the result of the election will cause him to do so. Should he go to Victoria he would soon reach the highest positions in that colony, but for the sake of New Zealand it is to be hoped he will not. In rejecting him Dunedin East has struck a deadly blow at the Liberal cause, ahd disgraced itself. But, so far as we c«n ascertain, it is a very rotten constitDency.made up of sects and cliques and coteries, who vole neither for measures nor for men. They are principally guided by blind, miserable prejudices, and they see nothing beyond their narrow limin. Sir Robert Stout ought to treat his defeat under such circumstances with contempt, and accept one of the many generous offers made him ty his loyal followers, fje ought not to punish the whole co'ony for the sins of a few foolish footballers and in Dunedin East, and it is to be hoped he fcill yet reconsider his decision.