THE POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2193, 7 August 1889, Page 2

THE POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT

" Post." Tho situation m the House yesterday afternoon was unique. We doubt if any body of politicians calling themselves a Government ever occupied a position so utterly despicable and humiliating as that which Ministers accepted with such complacency. They sat m their places moving adjournment after adjournment, while a couplo of self appointed and irresponsible committees of private mem* bors were engaged up stairs hacking a Ministerial Policy Bill about until it was deprived of all trace of tbo policy it was supposed to embody. The members engaged m the work of transformation did not even aslc a member of tho Ministry to be present while their bantling was being dealt with, and Ministers sat still, waiting to bo told by the caucus what 1 their policy was to bo, anel what they would bo required to accept and support. Thoy sat with closed eyes and open mouths waiting to see what the meeting upstairs would drop m. It was a sorry sight to any believer m Constitutional Government, or m party founded upon principle. The representation of the people is a subject on which tho Government should direct and lead tho House, and upon which it should entertain a distinctly defined policy. Tho present Government havo entiroly abrogated their functions, and have shown themselves willing to become tho passive tools of any majority which will allow them to retain thoir seats on tho Treasury Benches. Their policy begins and ends with a determination to stick there as long as thoy possibly oan, no mattor what they havo to do m order to keep their places .