The Globe. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1878.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1233, 15 February 1878, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1878.

One of the greatest moral dangers, says Mr Gladstone, that can beset the politics of a self-governed country is that of having a great question insincerely dealt with. At the present time New Zealand runs considerable risk of incurring this danger. Wo have the spectacle before us of the Premier of the colony going from place to place endeavoring to raise popular enthusiasm in favor of a liberal franchise. His well-turned periods are listened to with attention, and applause follows each burst of rhetoric. But to all appearance there the matter rests. We have no Reform Leagues established pledged to spare neither money nor trouble in bringing about this reform. Yet the Premier has pledged himself to introduce a Bill next session having for its object a radical change in the qualification of electors. “Every man,” ho says, “in New Zealand, twenty-one years of ago, shall have a vote, and every man one vote only.” Sir G. Grey professes, iu bringing forward such a measure, to ho actuated by a sincere desire to benefit the inhabitants of this colony. Ho hopes, by training every man to know his political duty, to create iu him habits of self-respect, and enable him to prize his own homo. By this means too, we are assured, we will cease to raise up iu the bosom of the country a criminal population, and we will found a great nation well instructed in political matters. Now wo do not deny that tho question of extending the franchise is a most important one, upon the satisfactory solution of which, large issues depend. But we are afraid it has not been taken up in the proper spirit. From tho manner in which Sir G. Grey himself refers to it, it is difficult to believe that he is sincere in his professions. At one time we are told that it is essential that well defined parties should exist in tho House of Representatives, and in order to bring this about, the Ministry will next session endeavor to effect this by bringing forward great and well defined measures, which must have tho effect of creating a, strong public opinion throughout the colony. Tho Manhood Suffrage Bill is one of these measures. From the maimer in which tho Premier talks one would imagine that the great aim he has in view is the creation of party government in this colony, and if he secured that, he had done his work. At another time it is the measure itself which is apparently all important, and every exertion must bo made to have it ou the statute hook. Of course both may he correct. But if it is of such supremo importance that it should ho made law at once, if the liberties of tho people of New Zealand are dependent upon what reception the measure gets next session, why is Sir G. Grey endeavoring to make a party question of it ? “ Tho liberties of our fellow subjects,” says Mr. Gladstone, “form a theme of too high a nature to lie determined by interests of party.” Sir G. Grey appears to think differently. At any rate wo have, no evidence whatever that his followers care a straw for the great reform measures about which ho talks, except as a means of retaining power and profit. Should Sir G. Grey succeed iu persuading them to pass his Bill next session, it will not ho because they are convinced of the great value of tho measure, hut because of their purely selfish instincts. The organs of the party virtually say as much. Owing to circumstances to which it is not necessary to refer here, Auckland and Otago have this session tasted the sweets of power. They acknowledge the fact themselves that they have played the part of “ highway robbers” of the Canterbury land fund, and if we pass a Manhood Suffrage Bill. It will be because they see by its means a chance of repeating a series of such “ robberies.” The mouthpiece of the Ministry in Otago, tho Daily Timex, looks upon the seizure of the land fund, not as a great political necessity, but as an act of retributive justice, ofor Canterbury’s refusal to join with Otago last year. Although tho laud fund of Otago has gone with that of this district, $c is very dsei'eytly frw» Cay-

terbury. Beads, bridges, and other works, all over the provincial district, are on the estimates, whereas there are only a few paltry hundred pounds there for woi’ks in Canterbury, and these are all in the district which Mr. Montgomery represents. By an extension of the franchise, and a re-adjustment of the seats, the party hope to keep in power for an indefinite period. So long as Sir G. Grey remained at the head of but a small section of the House, his speeches on these questions wore listened to as the utterances of an amiable visionary, but his accession to power altered this state of things, and if the Premier makes the Manhood Suffrage Bill a Ministerial question, upon which ho will stand or fall, we may witness the spectacle of a majority of the House voting for a measure which the country has not in any sense demanded, and upon which it has not expressed any opinion whatever. Wo therefore say that there is very great danger indeed of this question being dealt with in an insincere manner by our representatives. If Sir G. Grey is true to his professions ho will not make it a party question at all. Lot it bo calmly discussed on its merits, both in the House and by the country, and, when an enlightened public opinion has been formed, then let action be taken. We propose, in future articles, to contribute our share towards this discussion.