Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 1895. THE CASE OF MR EDWARDS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5056, 20 June 1895, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 1895. THE CASE OF MR EDWARDS.

Wk liavo received a printed circular drawing our attention to a certain correspondence which has recently taken place between the Premier and Mr W B. Edwards. Once more the ex-Judge lias ■.vainly demanded justice from the head of the Liberal I'arly, and once more he has been snubbed for his pains. Though he be undoubtedly an ill-used man, his troubles are very unlikely to excite a sympathetic thrill in the Liberal camp. When an able leader at the civil and criminal bar, who is by 110 means impecunious, fails to get justice, what clnnce is there for thousands of other poor fellows in the colony who are not so happily circumstanced ? It is perhaps unfortunate for Mr Edwards that he is an eminent lawyer, because people do not readily grasp the idea that a gentleman whoso vocation is to warm up plates for his fellow men to dance upon, may himself be pirouetting on a hot griddle, and also may possess somewhat tender feet. The spectacle of an individual being Hayed whose avocation is to skin othors, is not an offence in the eyes <jf the Liberal gods. Mr Scddon and not Mr Edwards will have their sympathy! Thoy will, laugh to scorn the idea of a question of honour as between Mr Seddon and a lawyer, and as regards the honour of the Colony, it has been oil colour so long that it is not worth mentioning. If it were a Jellieoe asking for justice, it would be a different thing; such an applicant would get itfrpm the Premier in full measure, running over, but only "curly headed" lawyers need appioacli tlio present rulers of the laud. Some (lay another Governincut will conic into power, and Mr Edwards' wrong will | )0 righted, but till then ho must be content to suffer.. " Bo generous to the right colout before you are. just to the wrong" is the motto of tlio Seddouian phalanx. It is an uncomfortable thought that even Judges of the Supreme Court can be tampered with by Premiers and Political Parties! Even in America the Supreme Court is supposed to bo lodged in an atmosphere where political jobbery and snobbery cannot penetrate. But there is eo security for either the highest public.! servant in the laud or for the humblest wilidow cleaner in the biggest wooden building in the world, if tlio holder of the oflice does not swear by the Seddonian creed and kiss the toe of the burly Richard. \7o have sometimes felt sympathy for clients,but our heart-strings have never yet strefcliert for lawyers in good practice with incomes of say two thousand a year and' upwards. A manly-looking fellow came "into our office to-day with a somewhat pinched face who could not obtain

work enough to buy food for his wife and family.. Now if tinman wants us to tight his battle against the Premier wo are ready and willing! This is the sort of man who has a claim for justice in a country like this which, were it not misgoverned, would find honourable and profitable labour for all.