A MAIDEN EFFORT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5372, 3 September 1904, Page 4

A MAIDEN EFFORT.

When the result, of the Pnhiatua byelection was announced we expressed disapproval of the electors’ choice, on the ground of the unfitness of the representative returned, characterising him as an extreme type of a most objectionable class of politician, whose stock-in-trade mainly consisted of violence of language and unfounded accusations against public men ; and we expressed grave doubts, consequently, whether such a man was capable of rendering any real service to the country. Our remarks were attributed in some quarters to pique at the result; but we imagine that the representative's best friends will admit that the exhibition which he made on Thursday evening justified most completely every word we said. During the election contest the candidate’s speeches contained much personal abuse and misrepresentation. Amongst other examples of the kind of assertion to which ho descended was the characterisation of the Premier’s illness as “ imposture.” His Thursday evening’s effort in the House was so full of personalities, reflecting on members of the Ministry and their supporters, that even those inclined to allow a new member every latitude were pained at his violation of the rules of good taste and Parliamentary propriety. It was an exhibition entirely out of place in a Chamber designed to reflect the highest aims and aspirations of the publip life ■of the colony. We are pleased to know, and the public will he pleased to know, that the House resented the utterance, and resented also its bombastic tone. Mr Laurenson administered a deserved rebuke which met with the approbation of both sides of the House. Although the most vital question of tho day was being debated, the new member had devoted only three and a half minutes of his time to that question, the remainder being taken up by the tirade of personalities. Apart altogether from the necessity of maintaining a dignified and impersonal tone in Parliamentary debating, the House resents such a display as this new member has made, because it recognises that the insinuations and charges against Ministers are entirely unwarranted. As for the electors of Pahia- • tua, they must heartily deplore and condemn the maiden effort of their representative.