PUBLIC OPINION.

Inangahua Times, Issue II, 7 October 1881, Page 2

PUBLIC OPINION.

I » : Lord Derby, talking, about the two ' House of Parliament, recently said ; that they bad * a superior whom we both recognise, and that power i* i public opinion — created, not inside, r but outside the legislative bodies— , public opionion which we are bound, if we can, to interpret wisely, whose manifestations we ought to seek to regulate sometimes by timely criticism and reasonable discussion, to correct, but which neither House of Parliament can opposesor defy.* Moat people will agree with Lord Derby, but it is interesting to compare his view with what Lord Beaconsfield said about the came great power in the House of 'Lords last year : — ' There is a fashionable phrase now tbat everything is pnevitable, and that everything v the production of a commanding force of nature which human will cannot re^ sist. The despotism of public opinion is in everybody's mouth. Bat T should like to know, when we are culled upon to how to this public opinion, who will define public opinion. Mv lords, any human conclusion that is arrived it with adequate knowledge and wish sufficient thought is entitled to respect nnd the public opinion of a great nation under such eoodilious is irreeist* ible, and ought to be so. Bat wliai we call publi-j opinion is generally public sentiuie-nt. We who live in this busy ago and in this busy country know very well how few there are who can obtain the knowledge ;:ecfssary for the comprehension of high political subjects, :\n,i how inuch'fewei 1 there are who, having attained that knowledge, can supply the thought which would mature it iu:o opinion.

No, mv lords, it. is pubic sentiment, not public opinion, and frequently it is public passion J