The Star. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1881.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4255, 10 December 1881, Page 2

The Star. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1881.

Tun GENKKAii Klkotionb have, on t'*r, boon noiibor more nor less surprising than th» usual run of tbeir kind. Neither Govornment nor Opposition bns bion beaten hip* and-thigh. On tbo contrary, tho reunite so far havo beon surprisingly even. In Canterbury the Hall Govornmonl is unquestionably strong, and tbo party has como well out of the fight. But that their stronghold lies in Canterbury is no news to anyone ; it ha« lain there from the first. Why this Mi on ld bo so is not, to cafy to di'eYrn. Cnile rbury, however, has always loaned upon Iho reed that has pierced her hard. Twenty yenrn ago, our repreeontalives voted for tho *q wandering; of millions in uselpeoNutivo wars. TwelveYoar* ago thoy opposed the initiation ofSirJuliut Vogol's Public Works Policy. Latoron, they lent a hand in tbe srlGeh log-rolling and lnndsharking which robbod that policy of its best effects. In moro rccor.t times the Canterbury voto turned tho scalo in favour of tbat Abolition Bill which wo havo all lived to curso ond deplore. So that it is not. to bo wondered at if tbo majority of our members aro open or socret supportorß of tbo Hall Ministry, But that majority is no greater linn before j

indeed it may be questioned whether it be quite so overwhelming. True, Mr Andrews has been beatou in Ohristohurch North, and Mr Fishor at Heathcote. On the other hand, in addition to Mr Montgomery, who had a watt over for Akaroa, Mr Turnbull has won " hands down " at Timaru, and Mr Whito enjoyed a similar victory at Sydenham. Mr Holmes is to the fore in Christchurch Bouth, and Mr Pilliet (a oloss fight that) is at tho top of tho poll at Stanmore. Mr Sutter has run away with Ghdstone, and Mr Steward scored a really good win at tba suppojed fortress of Waimate. Mr Evans Brown is reokoned a Government man, but whether he will bo found a consistent supporter of the powers that be is ab least dubious in the minds of those who remember hia former political tactics. At Lyttelton, Geraldine and Kaikoura the elect. ons turned rather on men than principles : thj Opposition were almo*t unrepresented, and the Government supporters fought one another. In Mr Wakefield the Houie of Representatives loßes the most brilliant speaker and the most disappointing man that has probably ever entered its doors. Hitherto Mr Wakefield's undoubted abilities have been so far neutralised by the faults of conoeit, selfishness, and inconsistency, as to have been of small use either to hia own party — for the time being — or to the country at large. It remains to be seen whether he has •elf-control to profit by the lesson now given him. We congratulate tbe constituency that has got rid of Mr Maunders. Truly, the way of the turncoat is hard, as Mr Beader Wood has just found out at Eden. Mr Biohard* ion's defeat is a misfortune, but he showed bad judgment in selecting for contest a district liko Lyttelton, where elections are invariably deoided on the narrowest looal grounds. Whether Mr Allwright will prove a steady vote for his new patrons is perhaps doubtful, and certainly not worth enquiring. Colonial men-servants — political aB well ae domestio— seldom slay with the same master for more than a twelvemonth. They prefer a change of boots to blaok. Still, if there be any gratitude in the world, Mr Allwright ought to be happy to perform this menial offioe for Messrs Hall and Rolleston during *t least one Parliament.