UNFOUNDED IMPUTATIONS ON THE GOVERNMENT.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 985, 22 August 1877, Page 3

UNFOUNDED IMPUTATIONS ON THE GOVERNMENT.

[From the “ Otago Daily Times,” August 20.] The House is evidently in the worst of bad tempers. When challenges to try matters in the Supreme Court, which is the modern form of duelling, take the place of arguments, then Parliamentary rule is in a bad way. We cannot blame Major Atkinson for at last resenting in somewhat forcible language the determined attacks re Native land swindles that were made on his colleague. It is all very well for the Speaker to express a solemn regret that the leader of the House should have used such expressions. The real blame rests on those who began the quarrel, and were afraid, as it appears, to see it out. In the course of an able speech, Mr Gisborne said that the Ministry had, according to the old story in Punch, chalked up Native Land Bill and then run away. If we remember right, this was first said of Lord John Russell, and the no Popery cry. We must perforce bring this same accusation against the Opposition, they have chalked up corruption, land ring, fraud, &c, re Native lands over and over again, and then bolted. On the few occasions when they have gone too far to retreat, they have as yet failed to substantiate their charges. Now we are certainly disinclined to suppose that the Opposition statements are altogether unfounded, but it is a wholesome maxim in these and similar matters not to state what cannot be proved. If the counsel iu a Court of law begins by declaring that he shall prove so and so, and afterwards fails to make his words good, he is looked upon with a just suspicion. We do not wonder that Major Atkinson took serious umbrage at a method of procedure which is altogether un-English and improper. He himself is, we believe, by the admission of all, above suspicion, and it must be galling to an upright man to find, day after day almost, that his colleagues are alluded to, and hinted at, as if something had been proved against them, when nothing at all has ever been proved. We cannot but think that the Opposition would do well never to make the slightest allusion to Native lands and Native land rings, and so forth, except in one way, either by bringing an action in the Supreme Court, or by asking for a Royal Commission of Enquiry into the conduct of Ministers. In this part of the colony the policy of the Opposition in continually making allusions and so forth to the wrong-doing of landsharks up North has certainly produced an effect. It is exceedingly difficult for any byestauder to read the fragmentary accounts per telegraph of what takes place in the Assembly without getting some such impression. Reports ot this kind necessarily, and rightly, deal rather with Jthe sensational aspect of things than with the routine. The attack is more entertaining reading than the defence. A vast number of our readers in the South will hint and surmise, will look mysterious, and vaguely suggest that perhaps if all were known, &c., &c. Wc really do not presume to say that they are right or wrong in their suspicion, but we are quite clear that nothing has as yet been proved in any definite shape, either in the Civil Courts or in the House, which justifies anyone in supposing that tin; members of the present Ministry have soiled their hands by any nefarious transactions, or have any illgotten gains which must make them feel guilty. We do not wonder at an honest soldier like Major Atkinson growing white with passion at the method of attack adopted by the Opposition, a method which wc do not hesitate to say is quite unworthy of gentlemen. No inconsiderable portion of last session was wasted in hints, insinuations, allusions, and so forth. It was only when the House began to understand that the eggs which the Opposition seemed to be diligently hatching were not likely to bring forth chickens, when they understood that the statements so loosely and audaciously made, were not attempted even to be supported by facts, that they treated them as they deserved —with contempt. If the members of the Opposition know anything wrong in the conduct of Ministers, let them, for Heaven’s sake, prove to the satisfaction of impartial men that the wrong has been committed. If they are not able to do this, they will [do well to hold their peace. Will anyone deny that if the course which we recommend for their adoption had been taken last year and this, they would now stand ever so much higher in the estimation of the country, and be much stronger in the esteem of the House P There is nothing which Englishmen hold more in contempt than the bringing accusal ions which'cannot be supported by facts. A little indignation on the part of Major Atkinson does him credit. There are times and occcasions when to keep a calm and indifferent mind is disgraceful, While we should be sorry to sec our Assembly become the bear garden which the IN ew South Wales Parliament has become, and while we hope to see it continue on a far higher level than that of Victoria, wc do not care to see this desirable end arrived at through a culpable indifference to misdemeanours. We believe that the sense of the House is now with the Government; whether rightly or not, wo cannot say. No body of English gentlemen but will feel disgusted at the reckless statement, unsupported by one single fact, which has been the chosen way by which the Opposition has fought its battles. Mr Rees declared that he was prepared to “ substantiate the statements he had made about the Hon. Mr Ormond,” or (which, by-the-way, he seemed to think the same thing) “ to put them into writing.” When he has done done the first, he ’will have set out on the right road.