The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1885. THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1584, 17 December 1885, Page 2

Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1885. THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

Thk Post, the recognised organ j of the Government, m its leading article last Tuesday, anticipates a dissolution taking place early next year. It does not expect that the Parliament as at present constituted will approve of the scheme of public works which has been outlined from time to time m a sort of unofficial way. Various reasons are assigned m support of the view that a dissolution must take place. Our contemporary makes several remarks on the subject which are worthy of careful consideration. It advises the electors to carefully consider during the next few months who they desire' shall represent them m the next Parliament, and what policy they wish to see carped out. If the Ministry go to the country on a well-considered scheme for the steady prosecution of public works until all those works which have been commenced or sanctioned are completed, it expresses its confidence that the vast majority of the people will be with them. The public voice will be m favor of steady progress, calculated to inspire confidence and ensure stability m business of all description*. It further observes : — '* The annual scrambling for money amongst rival districts, the uncertainty from year to year as to the progress of works necessary to open up the country, the stagnation resulting from the sudden cessation of public works, the loss from works left unfinished and unproductive, would all be obviated by such a scheme as the one we hope and expect to be brought down. The public mind is quite ripe for such a scheme, and the votes of the people will, we are convinced, endorse any well-conceived and prudent proposals of the kind. The electors will not be frightened of borrowing if satisfied that the expenditure will be judicious, prudent, and reproductive. 1 ' The article concludes by strongly deprecating the introduction of issues with regard to the respective policies of Protection as against Free Trade, and contends with the utmost confidence that Protection by itself would have no chance of finding acceptance. Our own opinion is that a broad, substantial, liberal and progressive policy will be greeted with enthusiasm all over the country, and will be accepted, endorsed and welcomed by the great mass of the people who have watched with grave concern for a long time past the depression that prevails everywhere, and have sought m vain for some likely indication of the possible return of prosperity and the dawn of brighter days.