Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1878.] TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1894. THE MEMBER FOR MASTER. TON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4793, 7 August 1894, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1878.] TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1894. THE MEMBER FOR MASTER. TON.

Mil Hogg is a hard working representative with many useful qualities, but tho speech made by him, which wo re-published in our Inst issue, shows one of the worst sides of his character, Like the cuttle-fish he is accustomed, when annoyed, to bespatter those whom ho considers to be his enemies with a dark fluid, and this has always - been his favourite weapon, In the speech in question he vilified the member for the Wairarapa, a rann of the highest character, by imputing to linn spleen and unworthy motives. Mr Buchanan had a perfect right to take up any question respecting Coroners inquests, as his electorate as well as Mr Hogg's belong to on o Coroner's district, besides which, the question was no mere local squabble, but one that raised a Colonial issue, But passing by Mr Buchanan's share in tho m atter —and iu doing this we may say that many settlers in Mastcrton whose opinions are entitled to respect, are grateful to him for having undertaken an unpleasant but necessary public duty—we protest against Mr Hogg's assertion that the request for ari inquiry emanated from some of his implacable political enemies. Wo are in a position to state positively that this contention is absolutely false. There arc somo residents in this community who take a warm interest in tempernnco reform and in public morality. That Mr Hogg is out of' touch with such. residents is well -, known. These moral and social reformers may be right or wrong in their methods, but their earnestness and fearlessness in advocating the principles in which they believe, ought to entitle them to the respect of even tho member for Mastei'toh. When the news of J, Johnson's dreadful death first became known, a special interest was attached to, it, as being a striking illustration of the evils of the drink traffic. Some of the leaders of the. Ternperanco movement in. Mnsterton desired to see this phase of the catas- ' tophi fairly brought before-the to tlieir at the enquiry, and a local publican '■ was one of the jurymen—and though J these selections may have bpon acci- i dental -aud not premeditated, they ;

carried'■■tpitie. miiida''; of those who , were watching the tho'liite'resfoof Temp or lincp and of publio morality, a Very bad impression,^6w: this is how the case arose in Mastertpn, rind politics had nothing to do with itin any shape or form. We do not desire to revive the Johnson case in any way, but we feel it due to the! constituency to say that it does not] think any better for the member fori Mnsterton for posing as a Parlia-! mentary cuttle fish, and abusing the memberjortlie Wairarapa, and cor : tain local residents who have con-' soiontiously discharged a somewhat disagreable duty,.in this matter. Mr Hogg has lostgramdlwith many of his own political 'supporters l over, this affair, but we question whetheiy on the other hand; Mr Buchanan has not gained support in his own electorate by the'courage'and moderation with which heiyoiitilateda,matter which was considered by many to be a public grievance. It is time that Mr Hogg recognised that there is a moral sentiment as well as apolitical sentiment in his electorate. '