MR R. S. HAWKINS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2692, 5 September 1887, Page 2

MR R. S. HAWKINS.

(From the Evening Press.)

In commenting some weeks ago on certain passages in Mr Hawkins' speech to the Wairavapa electors, we observed with great regret that a gentleman who evidontly possesses uncommon political qualifications, appeared nevertheless, to be unfitted for-publio life by a singular want of self-control and a most unfortunate tendency to deal in personalities. Mr Hawkins replied to our remarks in a very courteous and reasonable Bpirit, mentioning some of the circumstances which led to those utterances of his whioh ..'wo thought wore to be regretted. Several of his friends and supporters also wrote to us in a similar strain; assuring us that the unfavorable improssions we had gathered from Mr Hawkins speeoh was a. mistaken one, that thero were grounds forthe resentment he had shown in the contest, .and that he was .very far from being -violent or self-conceited,- We did not consider these explanations altogether justified Mr Hawkins.speeoh, but as we cordially -ro: oognizod that gentleman's ability and as nothing was mora" distant from our intentions than to do him injustice, we said no more about it and hoped for tho boat. We were equally astonished and disappoi'ntod, therefore, to read in the Waihapapa Daily a few days ago, a letter from Mr Hawkins which not only outrages all" the propribtids of political .warfare, but so far exceeds all rational bounds as to revive and oonflrm our opinion that Mr Hawkins is wholly, unfitted by temperamont for public life. AVe never read a more violent or unbecoming lettor, and we are quits unable to understand how Mr Hawkins could fail to see that it must necessarily damage himself ten- times more than those against whom it was directod. To begin with, Mr Hawkins betrays the worst possible taste in resorting to that weak and foolish device of assailing tho Editor of. the Dailv by name, and making- a furious attaok upon bun on aooount of some anonymous lettor whioh has appeared in the paper during the oloction. He even goes the length of picking out a reporter by name, -and tries to fasten on him a share of the responsibility. for tho publication of some oritioisms or statements whioh he deems unfair. This ia ; wretohed stuff, wheresoever or under whatsoever -circumstances it ia attempted; and it would bo a good rule for newspapers resolutely and uniformly to refuse to publish any sort of communication whioh seeks to go bohuid the anonymity of journalism. The only reason, we imagine, why the Wabaiupa Daily published Mr Hawkins'letter, is because it is opposed to him in the election, and is not unwilling that he should make a deplorable exhibition of himself, The editor makes no reply, beyond saying in a noto that the statements contained in the letter are and that it can only be regarded as emanating from a man, whose mind is unhinged by passion and resentment. Per. baps that is the most charitablo view to taks

of it; but certainly that is no great'w"mmendation of Mr Hawkiuß as a canumate for Parliament. The cam belli does not seem to be a very serious .one. • Eeligious questions having somehow been dragged into the election, as they often are, someono has written to the Daii.y to say that on some occasion, Mr Hawkins offered to become President of the Frecthought Association. One would have thought that Mr Hawkins might be well content eitherlo pass thiinqt very terrible accusation over is silence,.® to simply, give it a polite denial." luteal of that, Mr Hawkins .wrote, half a column of unmeasured abuse and threat.v dftr ; wh.tßh such eipresions aslie," Liar/-' " deliberate .falsehood,'' "coward", "slanderer," "mean" Contemptible diabpffesty'," are scattered broadcast., ;;Burety' ir aijtjje way'in'' wHicha'inan of ''sensij'or of' right feeling conducts a political contest; and we can quite understand from it, wlfiko many people who have a regatd for Mfjrowkins on various grounds, oppoas his candidature, and wish for his own sake that he had ne?W, entered upon it.