MR GEORGE'S CANDIDATURE AND THE THAMES ADVERTISE

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2921, 26 June 1878, Page 2

MR GEORGE'S CANDIDATURE AND THE THAMES ADVERTISE

(To the Editor of the 'Evening Star.)

Sib, -7- Whenever the editor of the Thames Advertiser has a chance to give S'r-Gpo. Grey a poke he never misses it, but to publish such a letter as that in to-day's paper is really too bad; such bitter, wholesale slander is a disgrace to them, and an insult upon Sir George's friends. The editor must see—without he is blind, indeed—that Sir George is a very popular man here, and also throughout the Colony. It is always a misfortune when an editor of a paper fails to see what the popular feeling is. ■>. If he cannot'read the signs of the times he is not fit for bis place. Sir George is deservedly popular here!: no man was capable of fighting against the corruption of Wellington, and conquering, but himself. He is no ordinary man. When Captain Fraser said a long time ago " that he believed Sir George Grey to'be a pureminded man,",, he only gave utterance to the popular sentiment. He not only is right -hearted, but right-heeded—a great good head, in a high state of cultivation. He not only has large capacities, bathe has had large experience. He has had experience in governing ever since he was a boy ; and this makes him better qualified to be the Premier of. New Zealand than any b< her man in the world; and only allow him to have the reins of Government for three years and he will give New Zealand such a push forward that it will never forget it. The g> eat crime laid against Sir George now is, Chat he has actually been guilty of 1 ecoarnicnding" his nephew as a proper candidate for a member of the General Assembly. Is not this shocking P How dare you, Sir George, do such a thing P If Sir George knows his nephew to be suitable—and he would not-recommend him without—then why not recommend him? If Sir George-believes in his own policy, where is the harm of him strengthening his own side—who would not ? Sir George is the working-man's friend, and we intend to stick to him. Very few of Sir George's enemies will charge him with being ill-disposed—they say he means well. But working men have faith in his judgment too, as well as in his good inteitiohsi for a simpleton might mean well, but Sir Grorge Grey has proved himself to have great grasp of intellect.—l am, &c,

J. Hoen. Upper Albert street, June 25,1878. . [Our esteemed correspondent, with whom we have never exchanged a word on Colonial politics, although many of his letters have appeared in these columns, must see that he has rather exceeded the bounds of fair criticism. We do not ray that the letter referred to is in good taste. In fact we may say that it display ~d ve-y bad taste and cr-ss ignorance—in the first place by raking up old party feeling on the Thames, and in the second by asserting that Mr Seymour Thorne George's candidature for the West Coast seat is likely to be promoted by the same party that carried the green flag through the streets of Thames on a cc tain memorabje , occasion, and afterwards stormed the Advertiser office. As a matter of fact we believe the representatives of that party will be found voting against Mr George when the, contest -ccmes off. As to an editor being oblivious to " popular feeling,'' that is a myth. When a public journal fai's to sustain its position as a leader of popular opinion, it will fall off in public estimation, and if the popular f- cling is not equal to starting an organ of its own, it is. worth very little. If again the " dilor of a paper fails to kaow what tfie popular feeling is " and docs not conform to it, or shape his utterances in accordance therewith, we fa> I to sen'that "he is not fit for his place." Newspapers, like other businesses, are supposed to be printed to pay. If the sentiments they give expression to are not always palatable—even to the majority—there is a remedy. But we should-be sorry to see the day when newspapers are to follow the popular feeling. We do not wish in this father lengthy note to discuss Sir George Grey's policy or his motives. We would rather not take either upon trust, but wait results. Perhaps in time our correspondent may come to our way of thinking, that it is better to bear the, ills we have than fly to others we know not. This by the way. IfSirGeorgfl Grey .pucce da, his supporters will be jubilant. If he fails there will b3 none so poor as do him reverencs, In auy case we believe he will receive ample justice at the hands of the Thames Press and people.—Ed.]