ANOTHER RISE.

Press, Volume I, Issue 13, 17 August 1861, Page 4

ANOTHER RISE.

' Tjie Lyttelton Times' would have made a bad monk of "La Trappe." It cannot keep its vow of silence; there has been another mc, we may call it even a bile. It is not however the old fish ; he has gpne up the stream, and is rising no doubt to worthier bait. His mate will however for tho time afford tolerable sport.

' The Lyttelton Times' is quite right, " A new phase has come over the political life of Canterbury." " The usual results hive followed, and the usual tactics hove been adopted." We accept without blushing the compliment which ' The Lyttelton Times' pays us, when it says that the writing in this paper has helped "to produce a frame of mind in which the public will brook no delay in full and frank explanation of all the circumstances attending anything that has a doubtful look." And what more have we asked for all along?

The "new phase" is, that a government of secrecy has taken the place of one of publicity—that a government of lawlessness has taken the place of one of law. That the powers of the Provincial Council are usurped by one man, and the provisions of the Constitution are made a dead letter. That the public works and undertakings are become the area in which private speculators prospect for gold; and when these matters are exposed, and a battle is made for popular rights and for public law, " the usual results have followed," —officials and place-hunters turn up the whites of their eyes, and the Government Printers i whine about " faction." |

But there is an easy interpretation it is said of all this writing, it is " to oust the Government." That is the colour 'The Lyttelton Times' has tried to "•ive to the opposition to Government. "We greatly regret indeed that we have not the power to oust the Government. A government which habitually breaks

the law—which has habitually neglected a great part of its duties—made blunders which would disgrace a tradesman's clerk —found its way into embarrassments which mere ordinary incapacity could not have fallen into—tried to hide its folly by concealment of its accounts —obtained the passing of acts upon fallacious pretences —treated the representatives of the people with contempt, and damaged the public credit; this is a government we should wish to oust, and have no doubt shall live to see ousted by the public voice of the community. But, that Mr. Moorhouse will retain power for some time longer is, we are sorry to say, true, simply because no one that Aye can hear of is a candidate for the office.

But 'The Lyttelton Times' falls foul of Mr. Harman for not speaking out. Well, that is what is vulgarly called " hard lines." We have always thought a man could but give up his office, and no more could be demanded of him. But no, Mr. Moorhouse who is paid for speaking, may be silent all this long while? and Mr. Harman who is now in no public capacity, must speak. Mr. Harman will no doubt please himself on this point, and if he is uneasy at the charge of " ratting " and '' inconsistency," will probably console himself by reading the leaders of ' The Lyttelton Times' of Wednesday and Saturday last. We always knew that paper had different interests at work in its columns, but we did not know before that they each took their innings turn about. Our own feeling is that Mr. Harman in refusing to sign an illegal warrant, did an act highly useful and honourable, which the public will duly appreciate; but we regret that he should have resigned ; we think, had he retained office, the Government would hardly have ventured to dismiss him.