THE POLITICAL POSITION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 32, 7 January 1884, Page 2

THE POLITICAL POSITION.

The Taranaki Herald concludes an able'leadcr as follows : - Party Government m this colony is not based on any pnuciple, except thai of retaining office or att mpting to attain office. ° It is more a quesfon of who shall .shave the power and spoils of office. No sooner has the Opposition attaiued power, and the nominal leader allowed to select his colleagues than at once the seeds of disunion &r& sown, and new-combinations are formed to; oust the Government and form a ne*r dne. Tf fria was the only •:practicak-rffecfe,'~-party- Government would not be so mischievous; but when once a clever leader obtains power he intrigues lo maintain it by shifts and dodges, and bribery of a most demoralising character, and often succeeds m . retaining ppwer for y ; ears. . Such was what Sir G, Grey, wife much, truth designated the « continuous Ministry " suchis now the " self appointed Min 7 try, which requires the fiery ordeal J* a general election io. purify it of ite nominative character/ Change is the very life of party Government, and when that.chan g e does not occur, there is something wrong with the political organisation. Sir Julius Voc»cl did much good m breaking up the fossil ?£?" W i h i? r " le^- the colony prior to 1869, aud Sir G. Grey also did good m demolishing the continuous Ministry m 1877. If is u> be hoped that through the general election this (war another radical reformer will arise% break up the present combination, re 3 tore the power to Parliament to appoint the Lxecuuve, and thereby remove the nightmare which site so heavily and with such enervating, effect: on the politicaNife of New Zealand; -