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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7827, 22 December 1886, Page 4

In yesterday's issue appeared the description of a recent scene of disorder in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, such as fortunately we are strangers to in New Zealand. The spectacle of a portion of the House defying the Speaker's ruling, and, amidst the wildest confusion, throwing paper balls, books, etc., at each other, is certainly calculated to give persons at a distance anything but a favourable view of colonial institutions. It is apt to cause them to conclude that whatever robustness may characterise those reared under these institutions, they are not distinguished by a regard for the amenities of life. That misfortune, however,the colonies might easily survive, for people as a rule recollect after a little reflection that the scum of society usually appears on its surface, and are prepared to give the communities where such things happen credit for holding their better qualities in reserve. Thus, the citizens of the United Kingdom, who, during the time of the recent Colonial Exhibition in London, had opportunities of witnessing the coarse manners of certain would«be distinguished Australians, will become persuaded that, in the colonies as in older communities, the national'virtues flourish best in the shade and quietude of selfrespect. From the occasional ebullitions of vulgarity manifested by ill-bred individuals, the general body politic is in this way saved from permanent prejudice. The character of the Victorian colony will therefore not be subjected to an indelible stigma by the outside world, in consequence of the ungentlemanly conduct of some of her legislators. There are, how» ever, internal and local consequences of such disgraceful scenes as those reported, from which she will not so easily escape. And chief among these is the effect produced on the morals, as well as the manners, of the colonial youth. There, as well as in New South Wales, the authorities have been lately at their wit's end to know how to deal with the lawless larrikin element which has grown up and bidden defiance to all the laws of control and decency. And, in amazement, people governed by a sense of propriety, have been asking how this alarming phase of society has developed itself? But is there any occasion for surprise when the same development is found among those chosen by the people to direct public affairs ; and when scenes resembling street brawls are witnessed within the h&Us of legislation 1 While one reads, as in this instance, of one legislator calling another a rogue and a liar, and when instead of settling by argument any points in dispute, hon. members resort to personal combat within the walls of the Legislature, he ceases to wonder at the hoodlumißm .that is so rapidly be-

coming a characteristic of colonial life. Such startling aberrations from moral restraint as those occurring in the Legislatures of the neighbouring colonies exert a most demoralising effect on the general community, and only coo clearly point to one of the contributive sources of the larrikin tendency now rolling like a wave over all these lands. If, therefore, we would control the unruly elements which are gathering strength' among the lower strata of society, it is necessary to make examples of those who, in the responsible positions of life, do violence to the laws of order and propriety.