Napier.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7201, 9 February 1892, Page 2

Napier.

The Minister for Justice has made s very timely speech in defence of the Government policy. It was required by Mr Buick, who, in the course ot his campaign in the interest of the Liberal National Association, had got to the Napier centre of the Conservative interest. There, of course, the strongest weapon employed against the Assooiation was the platform of criticisms current among the Opposition in all parts of the Colony. A good vigorous onslaught on that platform was required, for the sake of truth and for the sake of the Liberal Association, and for the sake oC the Liberal cause, all of which mean, by the way, the same thing. The Minister for Ju.tiee, who, during the late Wellington election, added so largely to hia laurels as an effective, campaigning platform apeaker, was seleoted by his chief for the duty. In carrying it out he simply carried the war into the enemy's country after his usual manner. The unpatriotic critics who blacken the Colony's oredit in order to blacken the Government, and who have not the manliness, or the sense of justice, or the love of country to point out how and where those mistaken authorities, tbe London Times and Economist, aro wrong, these will not like Mr Beeves' speeoh ; neither will those who know that the bnlk of the agriculturists are benefited by the Government policy, but who try incessantly to hide the fact, as well as their knowledge of it. But the speech has made its mark, and done good in the right quarter. Tbe truth is great, and (if its supporters axe Btaunch) must prevail. r ' -j — ,'