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Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3160, 24 September 1892, Page 2

Many of our readers no doubt were somewhat surprised that we neither introduced, nor made any comments upon, the letter of Mr F. Lawry's headed "The Bryce Episode," which appeared in our issue of 13th inst. We concluded and correctly, as it turns out, that it would be referred to by one more capable than ourselves, namely, by Mr Bryce himself. His reply will be found in another portion of this issue. When reading Mr Lawry's letter we came to the conclusion that it was simply a bit of special pleading on behalf of the Premier. If it were intended as such, it will not raise the Premier in the estimation of most people, as it is evident that he has again felt constrained to excuse himself for his weakness in not taking a more manly and generous course in dealing with the Bryce petition, and thereby necessitating an explanation which was entrusted to Mr F. Lawry, M.H.R to make. A man never stands higher in the estimation of his fellows than when he has the moral courage to undo a wrong. The Premier had this opportunity, either by supponing the nie.nber for Egmont in carrying his resolution, as it was first stated he would do, or what would have redounded infinitely more to his credit, to havj asked Mr McGuire to aliow him to move the resolution himself. Had he taken this course, one that a strong and generous minded man would have delighted in, we feel sure no other action of his life would hive given him greater inward satisfaction or have raised him higher in the estimation of his fellow colonists. He missed the opportunity, and we can only infer that his change of front was due to his unwise submission to stronger influences in the Cabinet. The suggestion made by Mr Lawry, "that neither Sir John Hall nor the Hon. Mr Rolleston desired to have the resolution, which had the effect of keeping the Hon. John Bryce out of Parliament expunged from the journals of the House " is too shallow to call for consideration. We venture to say that not a half dozen men in the colony could be found to give credence to such a manifest and far fetched absurdity. It would be an insult to Mr Lawry's common sense to think for a moment that he believes it himself. We cannot however refrain from expressing our surprise that Mr Lawry however anxious he may be to stand well with the powers that be, should have lent himself to father so ridiculous a statement.