The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1881.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4035, 3 December 1881, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1881.

The advice tendered to the Northern men by the Premier when he had succeeded in forcing the Eepresentation Bill through the House of Kepresentatives is of interest at the present time. There is a large amount of worldly wisdom in the composition of John Hall, as ia evinced by his avoiding to practice what he preaches, and though we draw attention to his remarks on this occasion as being worthy of careful consideration, the motive prompting their utterance we shall hare to ignore, while we pay the more careful heed to what he said, which is as follows: —" I would venture to suggest to the electors of some parts of the North Island that any slight diminution in their proportionate representation which this Act may involve will never be felt, if only they will prevail on the best men among them to become candidates for seats in this House, and if they will always give a preference to men known for their character, ability, and public services, over those who may seek to gain favour by promising to blindly follow a leader." How so much clear-headedness was found in the brain of the Premier at four o'clock in the morning, after a long and uapleasant debate, can be [accounted for by the facts that he had had a long and refreshing sleep, and was very angry with Sir.George Grey. It matters not to the public when wisdom cries aloud to be heard, if her utterances sink into the [hearts of men; Our present position at the Thames could not have been more accurately described than in the words we have quoted from the angry and wakeful Premier's speech. It is all very well for Mr Swan son and others to say that the votiog power of the South has only been increased by three members under the new Bill, when they attempt to justify their conduct in assenting to its becoming law ; but the fact remains that Canterbury and Otago have half the voting power of New Zealand. It is not our intention to say harsh things of Mr Speight, or aught that may offend his friends. His position, however, should be put clearly before the electorate. He was sent into Parliament as a Grey nominee. So was Hurst. The difference between the two men is this: one stuck to his colors, the other went over to the enemy. On the present occasion there are no Grey nominees. Sir George Grey has sedulously refrained from influencing electorates. We know perfectly what we are writing about. Mr Speight wants to run as a Grey nominee again. Were Sir George consulted on this subject, after giving such advice to the electorate as Mr Hall gave, he would, without' any doubt, continue in this manner:—" There will be no other Grey Government. I had worry and vexations enough with the last. I have far more of my own way when out of office than in. There is a great deal of difference between managing a House of Representatives and governing a country. Under existing conditions of New Zealand life the minority rules—and I am content to be the mouthpiece of the minority. I am getting an old man. I shall be 70 this month. It would be quite a relief to me if Clark were to win for City East. I could then go home with a good excuse, and enjoy that peace and quietude from which Sheehan and the others dragged me. No! there will be no other Grey Government." Of course without Sir George Grey as a leader to follow, the voice of Mr Speight, both within and without Parliament, becomes as the voice of other men. We have some very difficult work before us in New Zealand legislation. Work that will tax the powers and capabilities of our ablest men — and Sir George Grey would tell his

henchmen that this work must be achieved by a Coalition Minister. The apprentice is rarely put forward to do the work which pertains to the master mason.

The supporters of Mr Sheehan have undertaken a grave responsibility in allowing him to be nominated for only one constituency. They should be fully alive to tbis fact. Any fortuitous event, or any combination of circumstances, which may reuder void his election will be regarded throughout New Zealand as a public calamity. There is no member of the General Assembly, than John Sheehan, whose influence in geneial matters is more fully recognised. He always has the ear of the House. There' could have been no Grey Government without bis assistance and co-operation. There is no man for the last ten years who has so persistently fought for the interests of the North. He has been insensible to the blandishments of the opposition, and to the corruption of their gold. Tbe brilliancy of his talents has, however made him many enemies. They have not failed to traduce a merit they they cannot emulate, and to slander a political integrity they cannot impeach. It is unnecessary for us to point out his slanderers by name—suffice it to say that they have been in too many instances those of his own household. A lie takes a long time to be overtaken, and Mr Sheehan has never taken the trouble to refute the calumnies men like Hobbs, Bryce, and Speight from time to time have poured upon his absent head. They knew better than to attempt such a thing in his presence. A man firm in his integrity can afford to look on those who rue mint and tithe cummin while forgetting the weightier matters of the law with contempt, knowing that the evil echo of the maligner's voice only endures for a season, and that its influence is only felt in the minds of the unstable.