The Star. TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1896.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5456, 7 January 1896, Page 2

The Star. TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1896.

PaciiilS descensus Avebni. — We hope and believe that the Christchurch Press will stand alone as an example of the depths of mean-spirited vilification to which a presumably respectable journal can descend. Our Conservative contemporary has given us many examples of its most unenviable predilection .for this kind of writing, but surely it has never produced .anything that can be more repulsive to fair-minded men than the low abuse it has heaped upon the Hon W. P. Reeves in connection with the appointment of that gentleman to the AgentGeneralship. Everybody knows that the Press hates Mr Reeves with a deadly hatred, and that no political act of; his would be .likely to win commendation from it. But it might have been supposed that as the late Minister is going Home "to represent this colony, and to work in its interests during the next three years to the best of his ability, any decent journal would wish him success, and utter a few words of kindly encouragement. That, however, is not the manner of the Christchurch Conservative journal. It prefers to fling as much mud as possible, in the hope that some of it will stick, and to so word its praise that it may be unmistakable damnation.

" The enemies " of Mr Reeves, the Press says, "will be glad to get rid, probably for ever, of a waspish, mischievous politician, who never had any other end in view than the promotion of his own personal interests." We are told, further, that he has " ability of a kind," that he is "a more or less educated man," that "he would have had hard work to retain his seat at another election," and finally he is, with the elegance that is the peculiar prerogative of Cashel Street, described as ready to " skulk away from CKristchurch with his tongue in his cheek." On which side the " cheek " lies, as between the Press and Mr Reeves, we leave to the determination of our readers. They do not need to be told about the political abilities of the man who has done such good service for the country as Minister of Education, of Justice, and of Labour, nor are they likely soon to forget the unflinching determination with which he has fought for such reforms as he deemed to be necessary. They know that he goes away from New Zealand cleanhanded, with a reputation unsmirched, and with a record of "something attempted, something done," such as few men of his years can boast of. That is the plain truth of the matter, and not the bitterest calumnies of the Press can rob him of his good name and his political fame.

As Agent-General, Mr Eeeves is, to our thinking, likely to do well. We are not going to say that he will be all that could be desired, for in this new capacity he has yet to be proved in Time's cruajble. But it may be questioned whether the Government could have made choice of a better man. There were many people who looked askance at the appointment of Mr Perceval four years ago, because of his youth, his lack of experience as a public man, and his want of knowledge of commerce and industries. Yet Mr Perceval will vacate the position with congratulations thick upon him. As for Mr Eeeves, he has been what many of our ..£. Parliamentarians are not — a close student of political movements and tendencies, and of all the things that tend to the welfare of this country ; he has • had seven years' experience as a representative and five as a Minister ; he is a man of high education, and lie is the possessor of great gifts both as a writer and as a speaker. Is he "waspish," as the Press says? Perhaps he has been, at times. And what then ? He has, during his public life, been so baited and goaded by his enemies, that he has had to sting, sometimes, in sheer selfdefence ; and it is just because of his ability in meeting his adversaries that they are glad to get rid of him, as the Press admits. We wish for Mr Eeeves, in his career as the representative in London of this colony, uninterrupted health, and an abundant measure of success.

Chhistchukch Hospital. — Applications are invited for the post of assistant resident medical officer at the Christchnrch Hospital. The Hon W. P. Reeves— The Hon W. P. Beeves left Lyttelton yesterday evening by the s.s. Brunner for Wellington, whence he will leave for England on Friday to take up the duties of Agent-General. He went from Christchnrch by the 6.45 p.m. train. A considerable number of his friends, about sixty altogether, assembled at the station to bid him farewell. After the usual handshaking, cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Beeves and " the young Beeves." Mr Beeves* said that it was very kind of his friends to come and see him off. The parting would not be for evex % , and when they met again they would be just as good friends as they were now.