Mr Stafford's Resignation.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2854, 8 April 1878, Page 2

Mr Stafford's Resignation.

The resignation by Mr Stafford of his seat in the New Zealand House of BopresontatiTes is a noticeable event.. It was not, indeed, unexpected, as it has been known for some time that Mr Stafford was about to take a trip to England. But at the present juncture,; when the political life of the colony is exposed to one of its severest trials, the loss from the deliberations of Parliamant of a politician of the experience and abilily of Mr Stafford, whose influence hat been used on the side of moderation, is a serious loss indeed. There. have of late been many things which have tended to make parliamentary life.in New. Zealand distasteful to those who have known it in better days and under better conditions. .During the last couple of years there has been in the proceedings. of Parliament a strain of virulence, reckless aspersions, and c'ass prejudice that might well operate to make a self-respect-ing politician, not bound by any party responsibility, desire to quit so uncongenial a sphere of labor. This is the most' dangerous effect of the rampant demagogism which has lately been introduced into New Zealand politics. , Men of Icbaracter are willing to take their fair share'of the victories sad defeats of Apolitical conflict. But they shrink from a contest in which, if not defeated, they, are sure to be befouled end disgustea. And hence the danger that just that class of men who can least be spared—men with a sense of of self-respect, a feeling of honour, and a care for reputation—will bo , driven by'sheer disgust to abandon the 1 field to unscrupulous demagogues and adj venturers. An experienced New Zealand j politician has declared that a great change for the worse has daring the present Par- ! liamerit been noticed in the tone of the debates. The stumping process so assiduously pursued by the Premier, as an appeal from Parliament to the mob, is likely to tend to a further demoralisation of public affairs. We in this colony can ! better than any appreciate the disastrous effect of men of high character holding themselves aloof from public life, and leaving politics to become .a gambling game at which sharpers live and thrive and honest men go to the wall. We hope a better destiny for New Zealand while recognising that, at the present moment, it stands in perl of a rotihur mcv— i Australasias.