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THE BULLETIN
Fix this textVol. 3.—No. 37
Fix this textSYDNEY, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1880.
Fix this textPrice—3d.
Fix this textt|r t lßiilktin.
Fix this textSATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1880.
Fix this textUnmeaning Surprise.
Fix this textThe people of this colony —meaning the adult
Fix this textportion of the population paying taxes—are
Fix this textmuch surprised at the vis inertia of the Govern-
Fix this textment. His Excellency the Governor has now,
Fix this textin the Coalition Ministry, a body of advisers of
Fix this textgreat intellectual vigour and administrative ex-
Fix this textperience ; in fact, they are all head and no
Fix this textheart. If they were once put in motion—if
Fix this textanother deus ex machina did something
Fix this textto concentrate and direct their energies,
Fix this textthey would soon surprise the world with
Fix this textnoble statesmanship; but as they have
Fix this textsquared the circle of political achievement by
Fix this textthe Education Act, they have a right to wear
Fix this texttheir laurels with a nonchalant air during the
Fix this textrecess, and say, with that old pastoral swain who
Fix this textused to pipe nearly 2,000 years ago under
Fix this textan umbrageous beech while his sheep were brows-
Fix this texting on his neighbour’s free selection, that the
Fix this textgenius of laziness had given them their leisure.
Fix this textIf —it is all in the if — they were put in motion,
Fix this textthey would run on with a rapid pace; but as
Fix this textthere is no motive-power behind to drive them,
Fix this textthey enjoy a grim repose, or go “bobbing
Fix this textaround” in quest of popularity. The tax-
Fix this textpaying portion of the public cannot understand
Fix this textthis listlessness of theirs —this odious state of
Fix this textotium without dignity. It is all the tax-payers’
Fix this textown fault. They are so doggedly dull and
Fix this textstolidly apathetic in reference to the discharge of
Fix this texttheir public duties, that they would hardly de-
Fix this textvote a couple of hours a year to force Minis-
Fix this textters to go faster. Their honourable rulers ob-
Fix this texttain money from Parliament for needful public
Fix this textworks; the money is not expended, and is called
Fix this text“ savings ; ” the independent electors growl; the
Fix this textPress condenses the general grumbling into
Fix this textvigorous leading articles, and stump orators de-
Fix this textnounce Ministerial lethargy; but tbe distin-
Fix this textguished individuals bear it all in a spirit of sub-
Fix this textlime resignation, knowing that it is not the kind
Fix this textof feeling that will compel them to resign their
Fix this textportfolios. If our potential Premier cared
Fix this textto oblige the public —to do a real service,
Fix this textand doubly do it by doing it promptly—he
Fix this textwould have weeks ago advised a dissolution of
Fix this textParliament—to take effect on the Ist instant —
Fix this textand thus enable bona fide candidates to announce
Fix this textthemselves and commence their open-air evening
Fix this textlectures without delay. We have in former
Fix this textissues warned our readers that Sir Henry
Fix this textPaekes means to surprise the community in the
Fix this textmatter of the general elections. He is said by
Fix this textsome who know his tactics generally to have
Fix this textmeditated a grand coup d'etat (or de theatre) by
Fix this textfixing the elections for one day, after the manner
Fix this textof Yizier Berry, of Victoria ; but his col-
Fix this textleagues begged him to forego the bold stroke and
Fix this textgive a month to the people to work off their
Fix this textpolitical enthusiasm in cheering or groaning at
Fix this textcandidates. If there was a real public spirit in
Fix this texttbe community—a real impelling sense of duty •
Fix this textno Administration could delay, parley, and
Fix this text“potter” about as the present one is doing.
Fix this textWhy are not the public works “ ordered ” pro-
Fix this textceeded with P Why is dissolution postponed ?
Fix this textWhy is not the cause of the postponement —if
Fix this textthere is reason for it—acknowledged? To enable
Fix this textministers to gad abroad and obtain
Fix this textcheap popularity and dyspeptic hospitality
Fix this textin the principal centres of population. No one
Fix this textneed be surprised at anything that occurs in the
Fix this textpolitical arena, because nobody seems to care a
Fix this textstraw whether Ministers act well or ill. No
Fix this textdoubt they—the people—will bestir themselves
Fix this textwhen the day of ordeal arrives, and many of
Fix this textthem will practically demonstrate their disgust
Fix this textat official supineness by voting against the chief
Fix this textof the Coalition. Should the Canterbury electors
Fix this text—most of them men of education, experience, and
Fix this texttact—once see through the hollowness —the sham
Fix this text—of the present Administration, with all its
Fix this textinsolent insouciance and braggart airs, they will
Fix this textgive the Premier a quietus, even if be should fix
Fix this textthe day for his own trial the first of the electoral
Fix this textseries. People wonder at the coolness of their
Fix this textrulers; and we wonder at the people for being
Fix this textso absurd, seeing the fault is their own. Minis-
Fix this textters are just as we (the public) made them ; or,
Fix this textrather, they are what they have thought fit to
Fix this textmake themselves —official fixtures, because nobody
Fix this texttries to make them move on. This “shove” of
Fix this textours is not likely to be effective.
Fix this textThe Chinese Shuffle.
Fix this textThe policy of running with the Imre and hunting
Fix this textwith the hounds seems to be in higher favour with
Fix this textSir Henry Paekes than ever it has been. From
Fix this textthe day on which the question of limiting Chinese
Fix this textimmigration came to the front he has been coquet-
Fix this textting with it, equally afraid, to all appearances, of
Fix this textleaving it alone and dealing with it. Admitting
Fix this textthat a great deal of the art of statesmanship in
Fix this textthese times consists in shilly-shallying till the
Fix this textdrift of prevailing opinion becomes unmistakable,
Fix this textand then taking immense credit for doing what
Fix this textcannot safely be left undone, no man can keep a
Fix this textlead forever by tricks alone. The idea of getting
Fix this textup a Conference of Colonial Ministers to agree
Fix this textupon joint action may be ingenious, as a fresh
Fix this textdevice for staving off action ; but it is too trans-
Fix this textparent to hide the intention it is meant to conceal.
Fix this textThe people of New South Wales are not particu-
Fix this textlarly concerned about what the other colonies are
Fix this textwilling to do in the matter of Chinese immigra-
Fix this texttion. At any rate, this anxiety about the con-
Fix this textdition of affairs outside their own colonies is not
Fix this texthalf so pressing as their wish to attend to the
Fix this textaffair so far as it concerns themselves. It would
Fix this textbe time enough to concert plans for assimilating
Fix this textthe fashion of excluding the Mongolians when
Fix this texteach colony had done it somehow. Queensland
Fix this textdid not beat about the bush when it was found
Fix this textdesirable to deter the Chinese from pouring into
Fix this textthat territory. Yet its measures for stopping the
Fix this textrush were not a whit less effective for being
Fix this textindependently carried out. To refer the matter
Fix this textto an intercolonial Conference is merely to inter-
Fix this textpose new difficulties in the way of doing any-
Fix this textthing at all.s Different colonies look at the case
Fix this textfrom different points of view. No agreement at
Fix this textall to joint action might be arrived at; and even
Fix this textwere some understanding come to, the chances
Fix this textare that it would be by compromises. The course
Fix this textof action thus fixed on would in all likelihood be
Fix this textas much too trenchant for the Parliament of one
Fix this textcolony as it would be too lax for the liking of
Fix this textanother. Sir Henry seems to bo deliberately
Fix this textlaying his plans for another convenient failure.
Fix this textHis Cobden medal seems to lie too heavily on
Fix this texthis breast. He appears unwilling to venture
Fix this textupon any step which might lose him the good
Fix this textopinion of theorists and sentimentalists in Eng-
Fix this textland. The man-and-brother idea is very excellent
Fix this textin the abstract, as is also the buying in the
Fix this textcheapest and selling in the dearest market
Fix this textprinciple. But when the competition is between
Fix this textsellers of our kin and those of a race utterly alien,
Fix this textthe strict line of theory is unworkable. It would
Fix this textbe just us well, and much wiser, to look facts in
Fix this textthe face early as lute. The difficulty has to be
Fix this textfaced some time, and the sooner it is to bo tackled
Fix this textthe less disturbance its settlement is likely to
Fix this textcause. Discussion will not alter the hard fact
Fix this textthat the artizan and labouring classes in New
Fix this textSouth Wales arc thoroughly resolved that they
Fix this textwill not subject themselves to Chinese competi-
Fix this texttion in the colony. Their spokesmen and self-
Fix this textelected advocates have talked an immense deal of
Fix this textrubbish in justification of that resolution, and a
Fix this textgood deal of time has been gained by answering
Fix this textarguments which were never worth a reply,
Fix this textbecause they did not represent the genuine work-
Fix this texting of people minds. It isn’t because Chinese
Fix this textare dirty or celibate or immoral that their coming
Fix this textraises objection, in the main. The most vehement
Fix this textobjectors —the enthusiasts who yell their delight
Fix this textat claptrap served hot at public meetings, and the
Fix this textnoble Anglo-Saxons who chase Chinamen down
Fix this textGeorge-street alleys—are not individually remark-
Fix this textable for personal cleanliness or severe morality.
Fix this textThe question is essentially an economic one for
Fix this textthem, and they would hunt a shipment of
Fix this textScotchmen or Germans just as cheerfully and
Fix this textdevotedly, if the Scotch or Germans made a
Fix this textnational practice of living on scraps and under-
Fix this textselling every other man at every trade they un-
Fix this textdertook. It would be absurd to exclude a race
Fix this textbecause they are frugal and industrious, and
Fix this textconsequently the artizans’ reason is only good
Fix this textamong artizans. But although the well-to-do
Fix this textmay be indifferent to the case as it presents
Fix this textitself to the poor, there are other aspects of it
Fix this textwhich should be felt with a force proportionate
Fix this textto men’s leisure for thinking the matter out.
Fix this textBlood is thicker than water, and the best sort of
Fix this textwell-to-do people will sympathise with their own
Fix this textpeople in a difficulty which is perfectly real and
Fix this texta trouble which is obviously sharp, and likely to
Fix this textgrow if not checked. But it is the statesman
Fix this textabove all other men who might be expected to
Fix this textrealise the true scope of the danger in its full
Fix this textsignificance. His “extensive view” should be
Fix this textable to discover latent causes and foresee pro-
Fix this textbable effects. He should know better than any
Fix this textpoor undersold joiner that the Chinese are
Fix this textliterally too many for us. While he might smile
Fix this textat the exaggerated stress laid upon their social
Fix this textdemerits, he should see bettor than any unlucky
Fix this textspouter, thinking otf his empty cupboard and
Fix this textunused tools, that the danger is real and for-
Fix this textmidable, though perhaps not so pressing to the
Fix this textcommunity as it feels to the man thrust already
Fix this textout of work. It is on the latter, which is a small
Fix this textthing considered from a national point of view.
Fix this textBut it is in its distant aspect a far bigger and
Fix this textmore threatening business than the workman,
Fix this textconscious chiefly of his empty pockets, has any
Fix this textidea of. The colonists of N. S. Wales are not
Fix this textall without bowels. They feel for their artizans,
Fix this textand what they expect from their rulers is not a
Fix this textconference, but direct and vigorous action.
Fix this textThere is no general disposition to sit still and
Fix this texttwiddle thumbs because Sir Henry Paekes has
Fix this texta Cobhen medal.
Fix this textAbusing the Press.
Fix this text“Set a beggar on horseback,” says the proverb,
Fix this text“and he will ride to ,” for further infor-
Fix this textmation, enquire of the Rev. Wazib Beg. It is
Fix this textquite useless going to Rabbi Davis, as he ranks
Fix this textthe distinguished personage referred to along
Fix this textwith Mrs. Hakhis, Prester John, the Unicorn,
Fix this textand other mythical characters. Whatever may
Fix this textbe the truth in this matter, about which even
Fix this textour cleverest Printer’s Devil can give us no
Fix this textsatisfactory intelligence—it is quite certain that
Fix this textif a beggar unexpectedly elevated to the back of a
Fix this texthigh-stepping trotter will make an unseemly
Fix this textexhibition of himself, a snob in office will yet
Fix this textmore glaringly betray the inherent rottenness of
Fix this texthis nature. It is the unfailing test of a noble
Fix this textmind that it remains unspoilt by fortune. To
Fix this textwhatever height in the social scale it may ascend,
Fix this textit pever becomes puffed up with personal pride
Fix this textand scornful of the surroundings of humbler
Fix this textdays. The common-place being, on the contrary,
Fix this textDressed in a little brief authority,
Fix this textMost ignorant of what he’s most assured.
Fix this textHis glassy essence—like an angry ape,
Fix this textPlays such fantastic tricks before highSheaveu,
Fix this textAs make the angels weep.
Fix this textWe are led to these reflections by noting the
Fix this textgorgeously shoddy style in which officials like
Fix this textSir Dknsy Pahkes and Sir James Mautin
Fix this textspeak of the Press. Time was when both of them
Fix this textowed any little importance they possessed in the
Fix this textcommunity to their connection with an institution
Fix this textof which they now affect such scornful indiffer-
Fix this textence. According to the Chief Justice, forsooth !
Fix this textthe Press and the people connected with it have
Fix this text“no duties,” only to look after the pounds,
Fix this textshillings, and pence; while the Premier, in public
Fix this textaddresses, like that he delivered at Ashfield, can
Fix this textnever too sardonically sneer at the “ young men”
Fix this textwho—contemptible pursuit ! —write in news-
Fix this textpapers. So long as the Press served their turn,
Fix this textit was the “palladium of English liberty,”—the
Fix this text“ bulwark against the encroachments of arbitrary
Fix this textpower.” Now that it galls their knightly withers,
Fix this textit has “no duties,” and would soon, if they (and
Fix this textsuch as they) had their will, have no rights.
Fix this textOf all contempts —even including that non-
Fix this textdescript offence, “contempt of Court,” —there is
Fix this textnone so contemptible as this contempt of the soil
Fix this textout of which we have sprung. The Press remains
Fix this textan able and inestimable institution, even though
Fix this textthese two knights have wiped its dust off their
Fix this textaristocratic heels and painted their now escut-
Fix this textcheons over the old ink-stains on their lacquered
Fix this textarmour.
Fix this textMr. H. C. Russell, Government Astronomer
Fix this textThe true student of Science has few commonplace
Fix this textconsolations. He never experiences that elation
Fix this textof popularity which is a kind of ecstasy to the
Fix this textpolitician, nor the inflation of gratified vanity so
Fix this textMR. H. C. RUSSELL, GOVERNMENT ASTRONOMER.
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
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http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-127622376
(1880). The bulletin Retrieved March 27, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-127622376
The bulletin Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 1880. Web. 27 March 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-127622376>
1880, The bulletin John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, Sydney, N.S.W viewed 27 March 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-127622376
{{Citation
|
| title=The bulletin.
| year=1880
| section=105 volumes : illustrations (chiefly coloured), portraits (chiefly coloured) ; 30-40 cm.
| issn=0007-4039
| series=John Ryan Comic Collection (Specific issues).
| issue=Vol. 3 No. 37 (9 Oct 1880)
| location=Sydney, N.S.W
| publisher=John Haynes and J.F. Archibald
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-127622376
| id=nla.obj-127622376
| access-date=27 March 2025
| via=Trove
}}
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