FEDERATION BLUSTERERS.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 418, 18 February 1890, Page 2

FEDERATION BLUSTERERS.

FOR some months past the cablegraphie columns of the newspapers have been a source of mirth to people who take the trouble to “ read' between the lines,” and have the capacity to think for themselves. Perhaps the colonies ought to be thankful for the enormous amount of gratuitous advice the)* recsive from persons in the old country, but the advice betrays so much ignorant of the subjects touched upon that it is generally worthless. In mere matters af courtesy, though, it appears that we mu’st travel beyond the Australian colonies to .receive lessons, and the bad example set by Sir Henry Parkes must be humiliating to ttsse earnest men who have joined in the great movement of which Sir Henry is recognise to be the leader. An English journal says tfytl Sir Henry Parkes is the most figure in Australia, and if tips inference to be taken from that is that his manners are 1 to be considered as a fair sanjpfo of the Colonial school the assertion ought jo be resented. At the anniversary banquet held in Sydney last month Mr Solomani endeavored to make a few remarks questioning the benefit that would be derived from “ Federation,” but he was opposed in a most ungentlemanly way, and though the Chairman cried “ Shame I shame 1” and tried to get a fair hearing for Mr Solomans he had as much chance of obtaining a hearing as an unpopular man would have in ajhall filled with larrikins J whose object was to make buffoon’s sport Io( him. And then this was the bullying I styl* wiiichßwas employed by " the

prominent figure in Australia ” “ There was no man among the Ministry who would commit such a gross breach cf etiquette as to accept an invitation of this kind and use it for the purpose of making an unfair and underhand attack—an attack which he had not. the courage to make in open daylight—such as had been made by the honorable and learned member who proposed this toast. Such conduct called forth his pity, and he could not understand how a gentleman belonging to an honorable and learned profession supposed to have the instincts of good breeding of a gentleman could so far forget himself as to outrage decency as he had done. (Cheers). He and his colleagues did not come there to be insulted. He believed the Mayor invited them therWas honored guests, and he was not prepared to overlook such rude and unbearable conduct.” The "cheers” prove that Sir Henry Parkes has many fitting disciples, and shows that reason and fair play are not considered necessary by the enthusiastic supporters of Federation. Had the subject been precluded from discussion at the banquet the fault might have been considered as that of Mr Solomans, but Sir Henry Parkes and Mr Barton declared their intention of speaking in favor of Federation and did so at some length. It seems that- those who are opposed to them are if possible to be bounced into submission or forced to remain dumb in the matter.