Wairarapa Daily Times. [ESTABLISHED 1878] FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1892.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4296, 16 December 1892, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [ESTABLISHED 1878]

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1892.

Being the extended title or the Wairarapa DaiiYi with which it is . IDENTICAL

second edition

The Rev Robert Wood, in the letter which appeared in our columns on Wednesday last, gaveabetter definition of the idea he sought to express when he said men were made drunk by Act of Parliament. We" quite agree with him that people may be surrounded with a good and bad environment by legislation, and wo hopotoseeinljew Zealand a better environment,'.

The rev, gentleman makes a point against us by quoting the eloguent words pf an eminent Episcopalian, Canon Farrar. This pillar of the English Church is distinguished for his advanced views on temperance reform, his advocacy of vegetarianism, and his strong language, Two years ago some strictures made by him on commercial dishonesty led to very unpleasant recriminations, Even in England it is possible for an earnest, well-meaning man to go too far, and partly defeat the object for which he labours, by an excess of zeal. However, we are.content for Canon Farrar to be thrown at us, and we will not retaliate by showing how tbe most eminent bishop in New Zealand has publicly refused, on conscientious grounds, to join tho prohibitionist cause.

But the liov, Mr Wood has another quiet shot at us, Ho indirectly suggests that we belong to the race of timeserving journalists, who, instead of walking straight-forward like his pel Canon, advance a la Mr Facing-both-ways. There is something to b sajd, perhaps, for a ¥r j?acingrbothwaya, orevonaMrFacing-many-ways, I The man who goes straight ahead in a crowd, treading on the tops of his fellow-men, and making enomies at every step, may be fearless and outspoken; but he. iaoprtainly a very disagreeable person, A man may Ira his face towards the light, even though he looks to the right and to the left, 'ind endeavours as far as he- may (o follow a true path/' "■:'' Itiayje flvaypsiible ffli.the,

Rev, Robert Wood to injure, rather than help, tlie cause be has at heart, by expressing: too strong a persons) feeling t'owardsMs follow-raen. .However, the temperance campaign is about to open, and we hope the issue of it will lie a better environment for the people of the Colony. That people will be set by the eara, and that unpleasant reoriniHlions will abound, is very much to be feared.

Both Canon Farrar and the Bev, | Robert Wood may be bo happily oiroumstanoed that the ordinary limitations of poor humanity, a precarious income with alarge family of children depeuding on it, do not affeot them. Were they handicapped as others are, they would themselves have to do a little Faoing-both-ways and would be sadder and wiser men. We do not regard it as a thing to be admired that because they have greater resources than their fellows they should be privileged to call them names.