THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 1882. THE STATE OF POLITICAL PARTIES.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2470, 7 March 1882, Page 3

THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 1882. THE STATE OF POLITICAL PARTIES.

A t.t. those who take any interest in politics will be speculating on the possible combinations to be formed when Parliament next meets. Shortly after the elections the Opposition papers were jubilant on the probable chances of the party. It was declared that fifty members would take their seats on the Opposition benches, and, like persons who were about to enter into a new and pleasant bouse, arrangements were made forthwith for the distribution of the happy family. Messrs.Macandrewand Montgomery were to have the two best front bedrooms, and were to decide by lot which of the two was to have the morning sun; Mr. DeLautour was to have a cot specially fitted np for him; Mr. Pyke was to have a sleeping apartment close to tho winecooler ; while to tho member for Tnapeka and others, roomy quarters were allotted. As for Sir George Grey, he was not exactly to sleep in the house, but was to take comfortable lodgings close at hand, and act as a disinterested friend of the family. There was no difficulty, moreover, in the financial line. The coming loan would render the future operations of the happy family extremely easy. Moreover, domestic matters had been set in perfect order by the present occupiers of the house, and all the incomers had to do was to enter in and enjoy themselves. Such day dreams are no doubt extremely pleasant, and are perhaps natural to the excited state consequent on a general election, but calmer reflection has most probably by this time cooled the enthusiasm of all except those who persist in, and take a pleasure in, looking at matters in a light specially coloured to suit their own taste. Tho matter of the Otago runs will have been a serious blow to even the most sanguine Oppositionists. It was trusted that the Government would be caught tripping here. It would have been a magnificent opportunity for Mr. Pyke and bis friends bad the sale ended in a fiasco. But when the operations of the Government were entirely successful, when the prices fetched were twice as large as the upset prices and nearly three times as large as the present rentals, it was plain to the poorest understanding that nothing could be made of it. Of course, the Ministry were acting in accordance with the law and the instructions of Parliament, bnt, had only a moderate price been realised, the facts would have been so distorted that the present holders of power would have been pictured as having cost the country thousands per annum by acting precipitately without tho due sanction of the Legislature, and in direct antagonism to a • number of Otago members, who would have been described as the persons most likely, through their possession of local knowledge, to have a thorough understanding of the case. The overwhelming success of the sale has, however, been too apparent for even a murmur to he raised. The most sanguine expectations have been more than satisfied, and tho Government are able to point to the fact that their firmness has had its due reward, and that they have secured another proof of their ability to hold the reins of office.

When, therefore, the Opposition meet in Wellington they will be in dreadful want of some sort of a cry. Nothing whatever has occurred in the recess which lias given them a handle against the Government, but very much the contrary. The Native difficulty has been settled in Taranaki; in Waikato things are looking more promising than they have done since the war; the revenue is taking a satisfactory and improved tone; there has been no agitation against the present local government system; economy has been further carried out in tho public departments, some of the changes being of a radical and sweeping character; finally, tho country at large is perfectly satisfied, prosperous, and placid. A more unfortunate look out for the ambitions Opposition it is impossible to conceive. Without a recognised leader and without a cry, it is likely to have a very sorry time of it. It will have merely to wait on Providence for something to turn up. Without the cheerfulness of Mr. Micawber, it will have to adopt his philosophy.

OUR WATER SUPPLY,

We are glad to see that the City Council propose to take steps to stop, as far as the wells under their own control are concerned, the waste of artesian water which now constantly goes on. The Health Officer in his last report adverted to the folly of spending money on keeping the soil of the city dry, when wells were allowed to overflow in all directions, and neutralise the good effected by the drainage of the city. This apart, too, from the fact that the supply is not inexhaustible, and that if, by reason of the said waste, the water refuses to rise to the surface, and has to be drawn from underground, its quality will in many cases be much deteriorated, to tho detriment of the health of tho citizens. And it is apart further from the fact that all tho water obtainable is required for flushing purposes. It is to bo trusted 'that private individuals will have tho good sense to follow the lead of the City Council. There can be but little enjoyment in seeing good water run to waste. If citizens refuse to follow a good example tho City Council certainly cannot enter upon tho premises, and stop tho flow or force taps on unwilling recipients. But it is, perhaps, an open question whether indirect pressure may not be brought to bear. No person can store water from an ever-flowing pipe on his own premises, but must let it run out into the public streets. Pure water is certainly not a direct nuisance, but it may be said to be an indire?t one when running off in driblets for the reasons mentioned above. It may, perhaps, be refining too much to hope that the City Council could take any action on such a basis, but at least they might ascertain how far their powers go, if the general body of citizens will take no action to back them up in their attempt to put a stop to the present waste of artesian water.