TOWN EDITION. The Daily Telegraph TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1881.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3167, 23 August 1881, Page 2

TOWN EDITION. The Daily Telegraph TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1881.

Iw view of Sir Arthur Gordon's visit to Fiji, and the consequent termination of the parliamentary it is surprising how little of the real business of the country ie being pushed forward. Amongst the more important of the Minis-

terial measures, the Redistribution of Seats Bill has a better prospect of passing than it had at first, but that is not saying much, the feeling of Northern members is that the Wee increase of Southern votes proposed by the bill will prove dangerous to the welfare of the North Island. At the same time it was Sir George Grey and his following who first insisted upon representation being based wholly and solely on population. At present the Middle Island has the largest population, and is consequently entitled to a majority of votes. The only ground of objection that can be fairly urged against the bill is that the right of the native population to representation is not taken into consideration. Now, however, that it is proposed to tax the native lands, the Maoris have a claim that they did not possess before, but as they refuse to give up their special representation any other in addition is impossible. It, of course, depends a erood deal upon how the bill comes out of committee as to the fate of M-.e measure at its third reading. Naturally the bill has created an immense amount of ill-feeling. The Nelson members are especially angry, and will doubtless take the earliest opportunity of showing it. Then again Mr Macandrew's separation motion has complicated the position, and disconcerted the Wellington members. It would not He in the hn°* surprising to see both the Nelson and West Coast members voting for separation, and should they elect to tbrow in their weight with the Opposition Mr Macandrew's point will be carried. On the subject of Separation it is perfectly true that candidates at the next elections will have to declare themselves with no uncertain voices Otago is pretty certain to return all its members on the Separation ticket, and Auckland will do the same. Canterbury has hitherto opposed the division of the colony, but now, it ia not unlikely, that at least half its members will be strongly in favor of it. It may so happen that Mr Macandrew will be unable to carry his resolutions in the existing House, but it is to be regretted that the question has been raised, and that it must necessarily therefore be kept before the minds of the people during the coming elections. The colony waa unsettled enough, but now tbe difficulties are greatly increased. There is one general feeling in and out of the House, that Parliament has absolutely failed to do the work of the country, and bow to meet the difficulty is that upon which so few can be found to agree. Up to the advent of Mr Macandrew'e motion there was a very strong propability of the country insisting upon a modified system of provincial government, and it may yet be brought about as a sort of compromise between Centralism and Separation. The present unsatisfactory position is largely caused by the miserable attitude of the Government. There is no leader in the House, and public ! bueiness just drifts along. Day by day we have seen the Government weakly protesting against measures which it was their duty to stop, but which have been passed in consequence of Ministers' want of firmness. One of the oldest members of Parliament has asserted that in all the years of his public career he has never seen a House so thoroughly disorganised, so thoroughly undisciplined. Under the circumstances the sooner the work ia scrambled through and the session brought to an end the better.