Marlborough Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1880.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 133, 29 June 1880, Page 2

Marlborough Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1880.

At the commencement of the present Parliamentary session strong hopes were entertained that it would be comparatively a short one. It was felt that in the present circumstances of the Colony needless waste of time and money should be avoided. The Government showed no delay in bringing forward their measures, and by this time very considerable progress would have been made with the business, but for a “no-confidence” debate, which lias occupied many days that might have been better employed. Let us hope that with its close tire members will settle down to the real work that is before them, and, at all events initiate a system of thorough reform and retrenchment, which the financial condition of the country imperatively demands. With prudence aiul economy, a very great saving in expenditure can be effected, and the very fact of the Colony having the boldness to face the difficulty, will inspire confidence, and keep good her credit. The programme of the present Ministry is one which, on the whole, is calculated to bring about a much better state of things than has existed for some time past; although, as regards the proposed incidence of taxation, we object to imposts on native industries, of which the Colonial Beer Tax is a case in point. Mr Ormond’s scheme of selling such land, as is not of much use, and the railways, would ease our difficulties considerably. If private companies could be found who would work the lines, it would relieve the Government from the cost of maintaining them, which at present exceeds the profit accruing from them, in very many instances, if not in all; and as regards the land referred to by the honorable member for Olive, it is probable that purchasers would be found for it who would look to future rather than present gain by the transaction. The introduction of fresh capital into the country just now is much wanted, and good investments may yet be found by those who can afford to wait a little for a return of their money. Although there is a severe strain on the present resources of the country, we believe the depression caused by it to be only temporary and that the returning tide of prosperity is not far distant, but it will require careful handling just now to bring the ship of State into smooth water again. When, therefore, we see the time frittered away by our legislators in Wellington, each hour at a cost to the Colony which it can ill afford, we cannot help regretting it as a national loss. That several months should be occupied by the Legislature in accomplishing what might bo done in as many weeks if members were not so fond of airing their own eloquence on every possible occasion is not profitable. But it is next to impossible to suggest a cure for the evil so long as the good sense of the House does not step in and discountenance it. The length, and with some few brilliant exceptions, the tediousness of tho No Confidence debate is enough to disgust everyone who wishes to see the business of the country proceeded with in a busineslike way.