THE PENINSUIAR ELECTION.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1223, 22 January 1883, Page 2

THE PENINSUIAR ELECTION.

(From the 'Echo.') We regret that if Bishop Moran intends to enter politics that he should have delayed so long in announcing himself. We have not only no objection to seeing the Bishop in Parliament, but we hope he will obtain a seat. What we desire to see in Parliament is a representation of the people, and there cannot be a true representation if a minority is not represented. If the Bishop be defeated this time, we hope he will try again. Through we entirely disapprove of the Bishop's views on eclucatiop, so far as we can help him t 0 obtain a seat, we should ' extend him our assistance. The question, however, of his candidature affecting Mi Donnelly should be carefully considered. How comes it that though Irish and Scotch born colonists are equal, the Scotch has four or five times as many representatives in Parliamev.t as the L-is!i. How few

Irishmen are in Parliament? Why is J this % We believe it is because Irish, men, who are Catholics, arc continually raising the education question, and thus depriving their countryman of any chance of being elected members. They must know it is perfectly hopeless to alter the Education Act as they require it, and whether Mr Donnelly or the Bishop be returned, the result will be precisely the sanie. Aud yet because Mr Donnelly does not do everything they wish, there is to be a bitter religious and political warfare — and the result — no chance for a young Irishman and Catholic being returned. Is this wise? We ask the Irish Catholics for once to view this matter, not through the spectacles of their ecclesiastics, but to bring the common sense of every-day life to the subject. We desire to see Irish as well as English and Scotch in our Parliament, and Catholics as well as Anglicans. Is it wise for the Irish Catholics themselves to decree their own ostracism from public life ? We think not.