Mr Earnshaw and the Government.

Manawatu Herald, 31 August 1893, Page 3

Mr Earnshaw and the Government.

Says the Glob?, which is the mouthpiece of the Ministerial Party in Dnnedin :— " The Government has undoubtedly made a mistake in putting an indignity upon Mr Earnshawj member for the Peninsula. I'o order a member from the Whip=j' room because he differs with his Party on one question of policy is a most extraordinary and un warrant able proceeding, and is a step not likely to find favour with the electors of the colony. A Party man is not a mere machine, to vote only at his Party's call. A member is returned to represent a constituency, and is pledged to a certain course. Pie joins the Party nearest in accord with the bulk of his opinions, but the act of doing so docs not necessarily carry with it the proviso that he shall break his pledges to his constituents or outrage his conscience because his Party orders him to do so. If that is to be Liberal Party Government in New Zealand, then the sooner Party Government is abolished the better. Rounding members up with a stockwhip is " a phase of Party Government that is fast going out of date. When a member votes or speaks against his Party on principle, he should be respected. When he turns and rends his political colleagues because he is not rewarded with place and pay it 13 altogether another matter."