The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, AUGUST 16 1883 Parliament.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 31, 16 August 1883, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, A UG UST 16 1883 Parliament.

■♦•• The Parliament of New Zealand was some yeirs ago quoted in the o'her Colonies as a model of wisdom and propriety, and the high tone that characterised its debates made its reported speeches the subject of almost universal admirntion and respect. Through the influence of so.calleii Liberal legislators, the tone of the Assembly has been changed for the worse during late years, and, as n natural consequence, lowered in public esteem Notwithstanding the fact that public opinion ought to be " the breath of the nostrils" of all politicians, the members of both Houses appear to be utterly indiffereot on the subject- in point of fact, it is not too much to say they hold the electors in profoun 1 contempt, and have the smallest possible opinion of those who elevated them to their present positioiiß. This is what the Post says ot the Legislative Council, writing of the proceedings last Friday : — " Going to the Upper House first, a visitor would have had a pleasing and elevating spectacle presented to him. He would have seen those dignified senators engaged in the honorable occupation of baiting and badgering an old gentleman of more than fourscoro years, and showering unlimited abuse and railings and insults upon ids hoary head, because he had the audacity to propose that he and his fellow Councillors should cease to accept pay for their public service. So offensively was the aged Councillor assailed on this, and a previous similar occasion recently, that even a strong opponent of his motion declared that he had ' listened wi:h the greatest disgust to the gross personalities which has been showered upon Mr Phabazyn, and he felt humiliated at the discussion.' " Comment from us is quite unnecessary Then follows criticism on the day's business in the Lower House — " If our imaginary visitor had then transferred his presence to the Lower House he would have arrived Justin time to witness the beginning of a series of most eccentric pranks and capers of the people's representatives. In fact, Sir Maueice O'Eoeke had his work cut out in maintaining even a semblance of order and relevance in the *illy chatter, which cannot be dignified with the name of I debate. All things must como to an end at last, and so did this, but the business of the country was only resumed to be again interrupted, first by the second discussion of the Temperance Herald's coaitnentK on hon. members' unpaid Bellamy accounts; andsreondly by a most absurd question of " privilege." raised by the sapient Mr Fish, the breach consisting in our having published a notification as to the Hinetnoa'n intended trip to Terawhiti with members. This produced more waste of time in another aimless and resultlcßS 'talkee-talkee,' after which the House, but only late in the evenine, settled down to its work. Now, are we not thoroughly justified in calling this sort of thing legislative tomfoolery ?" This is plain -speaking with a vengeance, and wculd cause any other hody of men to blush for thVir shortcomings, and make some effort to mend their ways, or at least " aflfi-ci o virtue if they have it not-" But w<? fenr that our legislators are like Gal mo,' who " eared not for thes" things," and whm they entere-i the portals of the Chamber shook of all modesty, decency, and g'eutlemanh feeling a? usel <*$ encumbrances, or unnecessary trammels to the liberty of the su j ject, when debating a point with a political opponent. In ordi-

nary private iile ilu 1 fear ot su umttrv punishment prevents many b 'oris' ( individuals Irnm giving" the lie direct. ' or of accusing others of peculation and every orb«r sin in th« decalogue. Put under tbe Parliamentary »tfis members are allowed to commit the*p. solecisms, against gocd manners with : entiro immunity from any danger of punishment. Who is to blame would be hard to say. It is well-known that shoddy Liberals plume th<'msolves on their vulgarity, and the i leavec of these in the House may , have tainted the wh<#le. On the < other hand the peculiarly overbearing . and firnsque manner of 'he Colonial Treasurer towards his opponents, and his want ot'svavitor in modo and polish generally, may have a provoking effect on those of his lieariTs who are not pachydermatous enough to submit to rudeness ot openly expressed contempt without their feelings being- wounded and so tempted to rpply in the samo style. The proverb " Like master like man" will apply here as wel] as in other cases, and it may be assumed that the followers of tbe gallant Major do not hesitate to copy his example. We have a high respect for Major Atkinson an Colonial Treasurer and as 4. splendid fighter in debate, but we do not, like to see him continually crushing tbe members of the Opposition when there is no need. INo pood end is served by it. find the valuable time thus wasted could be utilised for some bettor purpose than in mutual vituperation.