THE Temuka Leader. TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1892. HOME RULE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2339, 5 April 1892, Page 2

THE Temuka Leader. TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1892. HOME RULE.

Tub Tory-Unionist party in England is evidently in sad straits. The other day Lord Salisbury made a most violent attack on Catholics, u r itk the view of arousing the people against Home Rule, and now Mr Chamberlain, in an address to Unionists and Dissenters, says that Home Rule is " supported by lying and dishonest trickery, murder, and outrage." This may be characterised as political ruffianism. If there is lying on any side it is undoubtedly on the anti-Home Rule side, and we are astonished how anyone could make such an assertion as that attributed to Mr Chamberlain, with the Times conspiracy still fresh in his memory. It is true that outrages and J murders have taken place in Ireland, but | it is equally true that they were unconnected with Home Rule. The greatest outrage and the foulest murder that ever took place in Ireland was the Phoenix Park affair, but it was proved that that was the work of anti-Home Rulers. Carey, the informer, and others stated in

their evidence that the party who committed that outrage was composed of persons who had despaired of Irish grievances being redressed by an English Parliament. They regarded Home Rule as humbug, and believed that the redemption of their country depended on her entire separation from England, and that that separation could only be attained by physical force. For that reason they hated Mr Pamoll and Home Rule, which they regarded as a red herring drawn across tlve scent, with the view of turning attention from the warlike course. That outrage, therefore, was not a result of , Honii) Rule, and neither were the agrarian outrages. These were committed l

by men driven to despair through having been ejected from their homes. These outrages were committed on bad landi lords, bad land-agents, and other persons who ]ud been directly or indirectly the cause of turning people out of their homes. The opponents of Homo Rule have left no stone unturneu t Q connect Home Rulers with crime,, but in liO instance have they been successful. Almost every Irish member of Parliament has been in gaol several times, but not one of them has ever been convicted of what would be regarded as a crime in any other civilised country. As for " lying and dishonest trickery," surely the TimosPigott inquiry ought to have been enough to shut the mouths of the Tory-

Unionist party for ever on that point. The foulest conspiracy, the greatest lie, the most dishonest trickery ever heard of in political warfare was exposed on that nccasion, and with the memory of this Btill fresh in his mind it is astonishing how Mr Chamberlain could allow himself to show such insensibility to shame as lie betrayed in the use of the language attributed to him. One single word ought to be enough to silence him, and that word is Pigott. There is a story told of two women who were entering on a scolding match, and one of them was advised to call her opponent a certain bad name that she might have the first of it. Tliis, no doubt, is the case with Mr Chamberlain. He thought to have the first of the bad names. He is now leader of the Unionists, but after tho next election he will have no Unionists to lead. They, as a party, are dying fast. This has made him angry; his hopes are fled, and he finds himself discredited and disappointed. This is the explanation of Mr Chamberlain's iittack. It is the outcome of bitter disappointment, rendered hopeless by the outlook of the coming election, and he has given vent to his feelings in this violent fashion. But tho conduct of Lord Salisbury and Mr Chamberlain only .shows too plainly that their case is hopeless. If they felt they had the confidence of the country they would not demean themselves to such a low, level as they have been doing in appealing to the lowest passions of the most ignorant in this way. We talk a great deal about our colonial politicians, and with justice, for some of them are not very careful as regards the truth very often, but with all their faults we venture to say that none of them has ever descended to the low level of Lord Salisbury and Mr Chamberlain. As for the cry about UL-itor there is nothing in it. It is merely a bogey to frighten people. Years ago the Ulster people threatened to kick the Queen's crown into the Boyne if she signed the Church Disestablishment Act, but the Queen signed it, and her crown is still firmly on her head. There is nothing at all in the iToise the people of Ulster are making, but shows that Home Rule is certain to win.

THE WHEAT CROP. Threshing is now in full swing, and we are told the quality of the grain is excellent. There is very little, if any, sprouted wheat noticeable, and on the whole the threshing is proving satisfactory. The great question is the price it is likely to fetch, but it is of course, too great a responsibility for any one to offer any advice on that subject. The news from Home, shows that the English Market has a downward tendency, but why th*t should be is difficult to understand. We have all along been given to understand that there was a shortage of wheat this year, which the Russian famine and the partial famine in Germany were supposed to intensify. It is, however, stated that the American harvest is very abundant, but it was not expected to prove sufficient to supply the demand. The depressed condition of the English wheat market is beyond our understanding, but we incline to the belief that it is only a temporary drop, and that it will recover again in a few months. We notice that as usual the Christchurch Press is trying to persuade farmers that the price will be very low but we warn them not to take I any notice of that paper. The chief man in that office is Mr G. G. Stead who is chairman of directors and one of the largest grain buyers in New Zealand. His business, therefore, is to buy grain as cheap as possible, and consequently what he says ought to be taken >vith a grain of salt. We learn also, that Timaru buyers do not appear to be in a hurry to buy, but that, too, ought not to influence the decision of farmers. There are at present persons going around the district here trying to buy from the farmers, and that is a healthy sign. There are also laid up in Lyttelton harbor, and no doubt in other ports also, large numbers of ships waiting for grain cargoes. These came in time for the harvest, but the bad weather of course delayed operations, and now the ports are simply crowded with them. Now these ships cannot afford to wait very long, aid if there is anything like a combination to keep down the price, it must break up soon, because it will not pay to keep the vessels idle in port. We put these facts before the grain- sellers, but we cannet undertake the reponsibility of advising them as to what to do. The markets are taking a turn for which we v have not been prepared, and which we do not understand, and, consequently, it would be too much for us to attempt a guess at the price which is likely to rule the market.

THE PROPOSED TAXATION. The Earl of Lichfield, presiding over the Bank of Australia, has said that the new taxation in New Zealand will not do any harm. The great financial authorities are all now on the side of the new taxation and the New Zealand Shylocks have ceased to croak. Even the Hon. George Maclean, of the Colonial Bank, had nothing but hopeful words to say about New Zealand, and he showed t\e country was progressing l-apidly, in spite of the vulgar attempts of the money lenders to ruin it. We shall look with interest to Mr Rhodes' next address to his constituents ; he will find it awkward to explain the part he played in the conspiracy which Lord Onslow called the " shriek of panic."