The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1880.

Temuka Leader, Issue 255, 10 April 1880, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1880.

When we a short time ago pointed out in a leading article the hazardous policy that' Lord Beacons field was pursuing, and the consequences that would follow -the -exposure of tins policy.by the Hon Mr Glad-, stone, we hardly, expected- that the ie-ac-fion would be so great -dr scrsoo'U. (Taking qa our motto af all- times, “ Dp -what is right, and leave time to prove it.right-,’’ we “felt comdnfied. that the Tories’ reign was doomed, and that Liberalism (which aims at dealing out equal justice between man and man) would ultimately tidumph. Mr Gladstone for-a - time was unpopular, and he was at times in the wrong—such as,f<>r instance, in the case of his warm defence of Russia'against Turkey. Yet, studying 'his whole politi al history as .we have done no other conclnsion could be arrived at but that he would again come to the front. A, tricky policy, like a -.tricky way of-doing business of any sort, "always goes to the wall in the long run.' Many hindcrancea appeared in the way'of success at (he present time—such as the influence Made use •of.against the Liberals by tie 4 Directors of the Binkmf • England." The discouraging nrdclea in the leading journal of London, Tfi,e Times, 'and ‘ the prospect of military ‘glory, shadowed forth in jhe Cquservative Ministry’s warlike policy, all tended to damp tee ardour of the reformers, who work so hard Tor the good of the people and toe prosperity of the Empire. If any thing- more than another was reassuvi- g, it vras ihe fact that Lord Derby had joined the Liberals. His father, a rank Tory card who. so long ruled the r roast. would sooner have cut off his right hand than cast in Iris lot-with (he people. His son—then Lord Stanley—however, very .parly showed that he had a- .mind of hia own, evincing discontent with the high Tory rule, and no doubt there are many, who have been waiting for him to declare himself. • |vud Derby, then, casting, in his lot with 1 , the, Libera’s at this opportune- moment,, whs a lever so powerful as to lift Uni great njiaes of iho Provincial electors, who havei, it seems, had enough of Conservatism. Wjhen she London Times gave it a? its, opinion that the forces would be very evenly balanced, many people remembering that jibe Conservatives had wealth on their side, were doubtful--of the issue ; as for, ourselves we liad none. We had seen the progress that education Inpi made amongst (he masses since thef days- of Chartcrism, and the spirit of opposition to war and bloodshed manifested by the working classes, who no longer bargained their bodies away to be shot at. We had seen the genuine spirit of Liberalism carefully studied and nurtured by, the artist, the tradesman, and even the ploughman and the Naocli ; and we fed ‘sure the time wou’dc me when these principles would be acted upon all over the British IslesTo S otiaud, first, belongs the honor i of this great victory Toe enthusiastic- reception given to the Hon Mr Gladstone) in the very garden of the Kingdom (the Lothians) was n testimony to the world that they had worked the problem out, and were determined to stand by (he result. One promising light we miss—the Hon Grant Duff. We bad predicted a great future for that young statesman ; we have lost sight of him for some time, but trust he is to the fore. That wars will now cease and goodwill reign on earth,we don’t believe. A peace at any price-policy will never do. Oilier nat’ons continue warlike, and it will not do for the British Empire to be caught napping, as in the lime of the Crimean War. To before-armed is to j be forewarned,” and. the best guarantee fop peace is to be prepared for war. To condemn all the acts of the late Conservative Government would be unjust am! unwise ; but such remarks as we r ade a | short tim-i ago, about the foolishness of acquiring Cyprus, we believe to be perti- ■ neat ; and no doubt the Liberal Government (uow virtually in power) will speedily loop off the-.e .fruitless branches. It is to be hoped, however, that the mass

will not drive Ihu.se hi power to extremes. 'There is no doubt a heavy waste of money connected u itli irmuarchial establishments hut we would not like (o see (his Lruish institution destroyed, or the titles of our nobility demolished. There is no denying that (hero is something grand in the very nsturc o‘ such mi-n as Lord Derby, and in ilie class to which he 1 e’oegs there is a pro nsen* ss in the way they spend their incomes —a grand free-masonry connected with their establishments which could not Ik- replaced by any Republic institutionon the face of the earth. Long may our good Queer. Victoria live, hut if shejshould be called away suddenly we hope it will not be the signal for putting down monarchic.! institutions. Kings, with all their faults, are placed (if they are lawful heirs to the thrones) out of the r ach of envy, strife and intrigue. A limited monarchy ia the soundest .basismf any Government. Neither’Russia' nor Austria possess it—the king’s will is The people’s wiT, hence the tyranny, oppression, and coercion. Repub Mean France is a marvel. How; a people that were accustomed to be led to battle af the call of one man, suffer themselves to be ruled by one of themselves is, w. reneat, a marvel. Impulsive,volatile warlike it is,a surprise to the civilised world -their 'moderation.— Let us hope Our friends ,at Home will not run into excess of riot over this great victor/ A ques tion arises in our mind : What effect will all this have on Few Zealand 1 Lately some of our dai ies I'nive veered round to Conservatism, who were;, wont to he oul and: out Liberals, triimnifag their sails to catch the passing breeze. When Mr Berry was defeated there was a great crow o er it by our trimmers. ..Protection was loudly talked of, ‘ and’ Conservatism was

o longer spoken of with dialed .breath. ’ Already, however, seeing the triumph of Liberalism at Home is wired do us. Some of them are -dying; “ Watchman, what of the might:- Already we see the signal fires lighted. Very soon, and some of our hitherto Conservative journals will begin to see some good points in the Liberal 'doctrine.* ' Already .Mr .Gladstone fait outtops iiis fellows ; had be been defeated he w.Ould' have been "branded as an ; “ old dotard,, time for him to ba shelved.” One . w ord to the Liberals of New Zealand : Be frnp.lo your principles.; hold together; remember m.ity is strength. Our present Gyermnent jiayeshown’ a' lamentable want of foresigat, and a great want of brain power ;' particularly is it deficient in constructive power. Hr Hall, carried in upon the shoulders of a certain class,: can. not move out of the' distinctive grfaove Mr Roileston is too piggishly blind to the signs of the times to be be guided by reason and common-sense. He will sit at the feet of his experienced Gamaliel ; but is incapable under snoh schooling of d'. iginatiug anything great o.r new. Mr Bryce is doubtless a pains-taking man, and desires- to act conscientiously. We could (Id with him in a better school; Mr Ollivior also. Poor old,.Torn, Dick is out of his deptii'altogether 1 What made that; old man plunge headlong into politics, {and leave his quiet, warm home, to sit;and plot with schemers who have an eye to their own glory only ,1 Often'do we thiuk of this quiet, retired pitizan ) .beingmbllged ;to sit down and, drear all sorts of, plans and projects matured. We feel sorry for poor old Tom.being thus out of Ill's element. Mr Whittaker is a geijtle : ‘liian of a different kidney Jie is just i the man to join the Hall ranks,.; pq lieathcote drain is too stinking for him ; In is full of sell me too, and suits Johnny to a “|T.” Seriously;' though, we do not believe Messrs Hall/ Holiest' n or Whittaker haye a single drop of’ Liberal blood in their veins; and now that Sir George Grey ,is about to visit Southland, it is our duty to see if he cannot be prevailed upon to give us an hour as he .passes through. We do not condemn the present, Government in toto, but- we do heed some Liberal .mem--berainit, and men of ability, too,; {Sir George Grey, we believe, cares not -for office again ; but Mr BaTance, perhaps, and also Mr Stout, will we hope crop;up again in conjunction >with Mr De Latqur, We regret (hat Mr , Bain-is op the wrong side ; he is not devoid of ability ;,.a yliqw, Liberals may be up and doing, . .. nyiuie who has been the least observant Jof the doingsof the present Government must jsee there is need of new blood. No Government in our opinion .has made such a Mingle of affairs as lias the Hall Goven.mejid, even when it may be they wished tojdo well.