The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 18S0. The Parliament

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 20, 2 August 1890, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 18S0. The Parliament

When the people of the colony imperatively demanded there should be a reduction of the number of members of Parliament, they were actuated by two clear and distinct motiyes. In the first place there was a belief that by reducing the number of representatives there would be a proportionate saving in the honoraria, aud in the second place, the country would get rid of some of the most objectionable members. Of course the saving and the riddance have both yet to come. But if the people have had reason before to complain of the incapacity of the Paliament as a whole, and the narrow-minded ignorance of some of their representatives individually, they have ten times more reason for disgust at the conduct of bus mess in the session now current. The so-called Government by party, is a mere farce as far as our Parliament is concerned. The Ministers iv posses sion of the Treasury benches are determined to maintain their seats at all hazards, and by the sacrifice of all political pride or honor, while, on the other hand, the Opposition are as determined in their efforts to win the coveted prize of office equally by any sacrifices. The Ministry — for instance —have betrayed the most extraordinary weakness by giving way to the now notorious " Skinflint" party, and actually members of the Government, ami their party, may be seen voting against their own Estimates in order that by such contemptible truckling they may keep the Opposition out of office. To feed the hungry maws of the " Skinflints " the officers of the Civil Service are allowed to be deprived of the rewards of many years of faithful service, and, for the sake of a few more weeks in office, Ministers join in the|Jharrying " with light hearts." Such cowardice is simply contemptible, and the wonder to us is that some of the better class of members do not lift up their voices in earnest protest against it. Parliament is now doing its level best to drive the ablest men from the employ of the country, and the only good thing that can possibly result is that parents in the future will " fight shy" of getting their sons " Government billets," and Bend them instead either into workshops to learn a useful trade, or into the councry to be educated as farmers. It is a very petty jealousy on the part of the " Skinflints " that because the higher officers in the Civil Service of the Colony are their superiors — socially and by education — they should make such a deadly onslaught upon them, not from a desire to serve the country — which is the laat thing they ever think of — but merely to degrade their betters in their own esteem. There is a feeling gradually gaining ground in the minds of the more thoughtful and intelligent of the electors, that the time is approaching when they will choose their candidates instead of tQ6 candidates choosing the electors. At present any two or three men may thrust themselves on an electorate, and the electors are per force compelled to choose one of them, even if they are the veriest duffers that ever murdered the Queen's English on a public platform. If any one of our readers is desirous of obtaining a thorough and complete contempt for many of our alleged representatives, let him read Hansard regularly, and he will soon be gratified. When the the time of the next general election comes we hope the offenders will be consigned to the limbo of utter oblivion,