The Fielding Star. TUESDAY, JAN. 27, 1891. Political

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 92, 27 January 1891, Page 2

The Fielding Star. TUESDAY, JAN. 27, 1891. Political

Ttte state of parties in the new Parliament was. clearly indicated on the occasion of the election of the Speaker. The Atkinson Ministry had already accepted the inevitable and resigned, ,but this trial of strength was needed to let the country know that Mr Ballance had. been returned to Parliament with an absolute majority at his back. The members of the new Cabinet will not compare unfavorably with the gentlemen whom they have displaced, either in respect of ability or of courtesy to the general public, the latter being a quality sadly lacked by their predecessors. This was shown (for example) when their leader — whoever he may vow be — had not the courtesy to tender the usual congratulations to Major Stewart on his election to the Speaker's chair. Another advantage the new Ministry possess is an overflowing Treasury which, in the ordinary course of things, ought to allow them to relieve the country of a portion of the excessive taxation it has had to bear for the last three yearsno greater -proof of which is needed than the surplus iv the revenue of the current financial year. No Ministry has ever came into power under more favorable auspices, and the country will expect a policy from them die tated by prudence, with an honest de sire to better ' the condition of their fellow colonists. That they will be unable to do any evil by "faddist" legislation we have strong reason to hope, because they will have a compact and experienced Opposition to watch them, and prevent the passing of measures which may be deemed iuimical to the general welfare. Tbeir greatest danger will be from the miserable " skinflint" party already formed among the Auckland members, and which will find a willing recruit in one of the members for Dunedin City, Mr W. Hutchison, who showed the " cloven hoof" on the occasion of tlie election of the Speaker by suggest--1 ing a reduction of th© salary attached to the position. These skinflint members are capable of marriug the most , liberal and enlightened policy, while their narrow-mindedness, prejudice, and , opposition to anything that savors of true liberality, go far to make Parliament.contemptible. As honest wishers of good and stable government, we do hope and trust that the majority of the Ministry will be so. clearly defined as to render these "miserables" harmlesp, by the fact that their attachment either to one party or the other, may not be able to turn the scales either ; way. The policy of the Ministry is announced to be generally the reform of the Legislative Council, retrenchment, a change in the incidence of taxation, not necessa2'ily by the abolition of the Poperty Tax. This ought to be a relief to the farmers who, during the ;course of the election campaign, have learned to dread increased taxation on their land from the advent of the "Liberal"' party to power. Of course-' the phrase " change in the in cidence of taxation" may be pregnant with unknown ie; >rs to them, but until we hear more on the subject it is no use meeting danger half way.