THE MISSING M.H.R. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10034, 27 April 1894, Page 3

THE MISSING M.H.R. TO THE EDITOR.

Sin,—We thought when we elected our representatives for Parliament at last election we had a ttio that would work shoulder to shoulder in every important social reform— members,who would heartily take the front rauks and lead ontlle advancing hosts ia every social etrugglo for the diseufchralmeofc of the masses from the power cf the oppressor. There are questions affectiag our nation of a much more vast and stupendous import thau even (important as they are) liberal land laws, incidence of taxitjon, acq-'isition of private lacd?,' or labour bills. Ttiere is that.hideous and gigantic social curse the drink traffic, which is' debasing, demoraliiing and hurling to destruction, both for time and for eternity, hundreds of our fellow men every year in this our colony. Ai an auxiliary to the ranks of our temperance reformers we., thought we had secured in our representatives meu of stamina and moral courage that would "dare to ba ft D*nif 1," and plunge into the front rankt aud chrer on to victory.

During the late campaign, previous to the licensing election, where did we find our anticipated leaders p Certainly in Messrs Hutchison and Earash&w we had warriors and heroes thnt.any nation might ba proud of and envy. Mr "Hutchieon, all honour to him, on every public occasion organised to agitate before the election, placed himself in position open to tho hottest fire of tho enemy, and did not Bpare them fcith voice or pen, Mr Earnsbaw no doubt, but for previous arrangements, would have acquitted himself in a similar manner. At anyrato, since his return he has opened fire in a very detfsive m»nnor. But where, oh where, ia the miusiog one ? Perhaps he has withdrawn into seclusion for the purpose of coococtiag some solution of the difficulty, which may Burpriso us when brought to the light of day. Ba that as it may, there is a day

ot reckoning coming that those who are lagg&rds in the cause will tind to their cost Mint such lukewarm services are too dearly bought, aud will ba hurled ignotniuiouely from their (■cits. There is an axiom we cannot g«fc away from—namely. tlint those who are not for us are against us. We want a combined, pranciug team, not two pruuciog and oub lolling ju ttio breeching or secretly prilling the other way,—l «in, <£c , April 26. Onwaud.