The New J.P.'s.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3822, 29 May 1891, Page 2

The New J.P.'s.

■ [To the Editor] ! Sir.—The knowledge that our ; present intelligent and observant Government liad recognised a want in oar community and had sought to 1 fill it, in a judicious manner, would ; naturally raise it in the general esteem. A fatherly and jtro-bono* 1 publico Government of this sort ; vould have some claim on our con--1 sideration, nay affection. But when 1 this Government, in supplying what may be a necessary want, outrages public opinioD, there is nothing to do bnt seek the relief of the cacoethes 1 scribendi. Can anyone, who takes 1 any pride in being a member in this community, take any but an adverse view of the rationality of the last two appointments to the list of the great unpaid? Picture to yourself, Sir, the following scene:—The front of a Court House on a general election day—a collection of citizens—an excited and flourished voter holding forth in strident tones on the rights and wrongs of his particular party—ignorance displayed in every loudly expressed attempt at argument—nothing right but the extreme views of a party, which is but one remove from socialism, Yet such a man, such a straiglit-from-the-beer-house-politician, is to sit on our Bench. Take the other case—are there not, aye, 50 men in the district whose elevation to the Bench would meet with natural approval prior to his. An exponent of extreme views, which, carried to their legitimate issue, would lead to Gliaos, a man without any distinction among his fellows for education or solidity which should entitle him to sit in judgment. Can it be, Sir, that the rule has now become general in New Zealand that a man has only to go headlong for his party, and he may hope, however unfit he- may be, to receive a Governmental recognition at the expense of the blushes of his fellowcitizens ? ! I am, &o.; Queen Street,