MATTERS POLITICAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 26, 31 December 1884, Page 2

MATTERS POLITICAL.

The Post appears to be changing front Avith regard to the probabilities of the generally belioved impending dissolution. It now says: — Ministers need not use the threat of a dissolution to compel support. They have open to them a.nmc.h more ;bold, honourable, and constitutional course, which we should not We surprised to see them adopt. If they "fulfil their pledges they, "will, ( nexfc session unfold a comprehensive scheme of local' government, and closely allied with'ib, ask the House to consider proposals for fundamental changes m the laanner and incidence of taxation. Thepe are great subjects — the greatest and most important; to which the attention of Parliament has been practically directed for many years past — and the question, at 'once arises whether a House elected on the issue of whether the Continuous Government should remain m office or not, is one which should deal definitely with them. Legally, of course, it oan do so, but before any radical constitutional or fiscal changen are absolutely made, the voice of the country should be taken upon them. The present Parliament should but discuss, ventilate, and (where deficient) improve and amend tho draft pi oposais of the Ministry on the momentous qnastions, and then the scheme approved by the wisdom of our Parliament should be relegated to the judgment of another — one elected for the purpose and instructed m the wishes of the peopleto be perfected and given legal efiect to. Jt would be a brave act on the part of Ministers — one worthy of a truly Liberal Government — to intimate at once to Parliament, when a-k---ing it to consider important constitutional changes, a determination that the opiuion of the electors should be taken before the changes. are actually made. A Ministry so acting would, if its scheme at all merits public confidence and approval (which, of course, remains to be proved), have .he best possible assurance of power to give permanent and successful effect to its policy, and, through' a lengthened tenure of office, being able to protect, foster, and encourage the growth of the new institutions which it had called into being.