THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1879.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3438, 31 December 1879, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1879.

The clergy of all denominations through* out New Zealand have denounced, and Tery properly, the recent ebullitions of sectarianism in Canterbury. While one party are accused of being the aggressors, there is little doubt but more than appears on the surface has caused resort to be had to the late violent measures. We do not wish in any way to offer excuses for the delinquents, but at the samo time when certain feelings and prejudices are well known to be entertained by one lection of the community, there should be shown at least a little consideration for the ?iews entertained by fellow - colonists and follow-workers, and acts should not be done calculated to arouse and excite those feelings and prejudices of a sectarian character. It is all Tery fine to say this is a free country, and men should be allowed to express their opinions, to display their party colors in the most conspicuous manner, and, in fact, to do in such matters ai they like. With this doctrine we differ; for while the iaw is supposed to be powerful enough to be a terror to evildoers, and a support and a reward to those who do well, yet society has laws which are dependant for their observance upon a mutual spirit of forbearance from all its members. While some men will insist in using the freedom allowed them, it will be impossible to keep that order which is •aid to be Heaven's first law, and which is found to tend to the greatest good to the greatest number. From our latest telegrams it will be seen that the Orangemen of Timaru are determined to exercise their right to walk in procession, for the purpose, in a great measure, of showing that they will not be intimidated, and for that purpose are making preparations. They are, we admit, juitifiei

in walking in procession, but we bjub* question the wisdom of the proposed step. It is to be hoped the other party will take the good adn'ee given them by their clergy, and refrain from every manifestation of disapproval. If suoh good advice is not followed, but good advice men are not given to accept, especially when a matter of feeling is in question, theu the strong and swift arm of the law must be invoked; punishment sure and swift must be dealt out to the law-breakers, and once and for all time it mutt be shown that no matter what quarrel men of different creeds and nationalities may have had in the lands they came from a renewal of their disputes will not be allowed in New Zealand. We scarcely think sufficient firmneis has been shown in dealing with the rioters in Christchurch and Timani, for if men perceived that if they took part in any way in a riot they would be liable to severe punishment, less would be found willing to run such a risk, and nothing would be henrd of intended outbreaks, which tend so much, to disorganise society, and at the same time | cost the State large sums of money.