The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, ISBL Mr Wakefield at Leeston

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 76, 9 December 1884, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, ISBL Mr Wakefield at Leeston

TnE address of Mr Wakefield, the member for Selwyn, which ho delivered to Ins constituents at Leeston, was replete with interest. He gave presume of the various intrigues which led lo the formation or defeat of the Ministries formed immediately after Major Atkinson had declared that as he no longer possessed the coufideuce of the country he wou'd resig.i. His history of these humiliating nroceedmgs was graphic, and as faithfully delineated as tho brilliant powers of the orator would permit. The chaos wbich obtained was entirely owing to the absence of any clear party liaes, and to the self-seeking and jobbeiy which were displayed in al' the plenitude of unwholesome vigor, uuder circumstances which so readily encouraged tho displav of the baser qualities of human nature as represented iu Parliament. Out of a House of ninety-four members, ono half were without experience, and being left without leaders aud without party line> when the Ministry resigned, a scene of confusion ensued, which was without parallel in the history of New Zealand. No one knew who his leader was to be, nor with whom he was to work side by side. This was the case with an exceedingly intelligent House ; one of the best, perhaps, that has ever been elected in New Zealand ; full of intelligence and public spirit; calculated to do good service to the country if only under good party leaders. The members were left in this position for several days when the intriguing began, with which Mr Wakefield had nothing to do. The whole formation of the Stout- Vogel Ministry was conducted by intrigue and carried on without any knowledge by those who wero affected by it. In concluding an articlo on this subject the Christchurch Press says :— lt is almost incredible that sach a complete change eonld hare taken place in the space of two short months. Tet an impartial review of the proceedings of the session shows clearly enough that the expectations formed before it began hare not been realised. Even those who hare taken a prominent part in the intrigues for which the session was so notorious, are understood to be by no means proud of their performances, and wonld gladly, if they eonld, have the history of the session left in oblivion. Bat it is necessary that public attention should be prominently directed to these events, for it is idle to dream of the possibility of what is known as fidelity to party or adherence to principles nnder snch circumstances. So long as provincial sections of members regard it as their first duty to band themselves together to plunder the public excheqner, regardless of the future and of the taxation which must inevitably ensue, so long as the intense desire for ofiice gires a temporary power and influence to the least reputable of our pnblio men, it is hopeless to look for a welUnslructed treatment of political questions or public spirited conduct at the hands of Parliament.