Manamatu Herald. TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1894. The Supporters of the Government.

Manawatu Herald, 3 July 1894, Page 2

Manamatu Herald. TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1894. The Supporters of the Government.

The members in the House of Representatives supporting the Go vernment are placed, in a most awkward position by the unblushing use the 'Ministry make of their power of the purse. It is on record how unscrnputously they use the pubic funds in advertising to secure the puffing up of their actions by that section of the Press they subsidize. If^heyr openly attempt this it is evident they will have small mercy for nifenSber. of Parliament who attempts to have an opinion of his own. Last Parliament witnessed the summary removal of Mr Earnshaw's belongings from the Govern* ment's Whip room, because he dared to vote contrary to their wishes. The member for Wanganui, Mr Willis, was also shortly told that there must be no falling out of line on his part. This drilling has had its effect upon the new members and they have ope and all dutifully done as they were bid, up to now, though it is reported that quite a large number of Ministerialists have intimated to the Government that they will be coerced no more. We should very much like to know who these men are, when we could better judge the amount of independence they are likely to show. The screw, we are not referring to the so-called honoraruiin, which the Government have over so many of thoee who are called representatives of the people, wholly forbids one to expect independence, of ever so mild a character, being exhibited. Daring the last election we called attention to the unfortunate position an editor and proprietor of a newspaper would hold were he to become

a member of Parliament. We gave as our reasons for holding that view that he would find a difficulty in criticising the actions of the party of which he was a member, and tbevefore his readers would not be placed in a position to decide as to either his> or his party's actionsi At that time the Government had not developed the unscrupuloiisriess they now avef; atid then no attempt had been openly made to gag the Press. It is easy, under the present existing circumstances, to imagine ths very perilous position that a newspaper proprietor being a supporter in the House of the present Government is placed in. Of course, his vote being needed, it is unnecessary to examine the list of newspapers receiving Government advertisements, as his paper is bound to get the fullest share going. The proprietor is aware that some newspapers who dare exercise an independence in views have been despoiled of their fair share of public expenditure, under the false impression that such an action will have a beneficial effect upon the Government, because the Ministers of the day have such a very poor view of the gentlemen of the Pres3. Now this unfortunate proprietor may be probably running a newspaper without earning a large income, and the receipts of Government advertising may mean a vast, proportionately, difference between profit and 105.9, and he finds hi 3 position in the House anything but a bed of roses. The-"Government have him, hip and thigh, not only by the future refusal of assistance at the next general election, but immediately, by threatening the withdrawal of the money earning advertisements. Poor fellow, he would rush in and now would gladly, perhaps, be out, he knows his soul oven cannot be called his own, the Government insists on his keeping in line, and on prompt obedience. The public are also intereeted very considerably in this question. What, of even the best of men, can ba thought of a representative who is thus hampered at every turn. Judging by what they know of the surroundings of any such proprietor can they expect fair representation, when the Government of the day openly announce that they expect to receive an equivalent of praise and support for every pound of the taxpayer's money they expend •? JT)oes a representative act right in allowing such an imputation being laid upon him ? We are sorry for the would be independent Government supporters but under the present rule it is impossible to believe votes will be given more from reason than trom obligation. | i |