THE Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivani la verite. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1881. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 1, Issue 111, 10 June 1881, Page 2

THE Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivani la verite. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1881. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

Thb Patea Mail, writing on the appointment of Mr G. W. Russell te the Commission of the Peace, says:— '■ To lower the honour and dignity of this public office by injudicious appointments is a grievous error in any Government Mr G. W. Russell, a journalist at Fox ton, is to be a JP. If Mr Russell had been trained to the law, the appointment might on that ground be excellent. As the facta stand, Mr Russell being a devout Ministerialist, we caunot avoid concluding that the Ministry have been rewarding political support ; and against trading in public offices as rewards for |iolitical service we must protest in any or every case. The thing is a form of corruption, and the honest indignation of the public ought to be invoked tor putting it down. It would be easy to show that this Ministry is sinning less flagrantly than a previous Ministry. That does not justify the abuse of power and opportunity.” There is some truth in the above remarks, but it is plainly to lie seen that our contemporary is in the dark as to the peculiar instrumentality to which certain of the recently made Justices owe their elevation. There can be no doubt the promiscuous creation of Justices is indiscreet. The Grey Cabinet were twitted with making similar ap-

pointments for party purposes, and the knowledge or suspicion of such being the case caused an appreciable diminution of public confidence. Just prior to the Session, and an approaching general election, these wholesale appointments are calculated to engender a /eeling ot distrust in the integrity of the party at present in power. Some of the newly-made Justices should be very grateful for the honors unexpectedly conferred, and promise taitbful adherence in future: Certain facts in connection with one or more of the appointments made have come to our knowledge, but their recital it might be better to defer to a future opportunity. .