Tuapeka Times AND GLODRIELDS REPOREER AND ADVERTISER. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1874. "MEASURES, NOT MEN"

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 331, 18 February 1874, Page 2

Tuapeka Times AND GLODRIELDS REPOREER AND ADVERTISER. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1874. "MEASURES, NOT MEN"

We see from a \ecentOojjaJ in the "Guardian" that a movement is on the tapis to start another Athenaeum in Dunedin, provided the Committee of the institution carry out the resolution which -was. passed by so very narrow a majority on Wednesday last to open the reading room on Sundayi No doubt this-move-ment will be denounced as bigotry. We have always, however, honored conscientious convictions, especially where those who hold them are prepared to pay the penalty of adherence to, them, that we not only will""hot join in this cry, but will honor the men who are prepared bo to act. Still, we should counsel them, ere doing so, to bring the matter before the proper* tribunal, the Provincial Council. We are aware, in 'giving this advice, we are going against the opinion of the " Otago Times," that the Athenaeum is not a public institution', but a private corporation; and -yet our contemporary, ere thus turning upon the Government and divorcing them from the institution, ought to explain how 'his position is consistent with the fact of grants of public money being made to it from time to time, and of land being set aside in perpetuity for the maintenance of our Athenseums : he ought ,to explain to us why, if his theory he correot, there is an AthenseUm Ordinance. On these grounds we hold that the matter ought to be submitted'to the Provincial Council. Is it right that aiv institution which is a public one should go in the teeth of the opinions — or prejudices, if you will — of a large majority of the people ? Should . the Provincial Council degide this question against the upholders oi the Sabbatic institution, then it will be time for them to establish another Athenaeum. Moreover, we shall honor 'them for the act. From the intense bitterness displayed on this question by the "Otago Times," we are convinced, as put by Mr. J. IV JDiomstitlLJiKatsomething other than the desire to meeFTlie case~ox~ytrmig~iiTO I r-iM-hotela, who have never, by petition or in any public manner, solicited the privilege, underlies tliis actempt. So much zeal without any public backing is inexplicable, and we consider that the dangers'which may be larking behind will be a justification of the establishment of a new institution. But then, we would also counsel tha.t the same position be taken up in relation to the Athenceums as the State 1 takes up in relation to the' churches, and that no time be lost in recalling v the grants of public lands to the AthenEeuins. Wlien parties who are in the place, of administrators of a public institution become so overbearing in their views and so antagonistic, the State should any, A fair field and and no favor — especially where the parties are so nearly balanced. Either this ? or return within the proper bounds ' of moderation, , and confine their action to what maybe regarded common ground.