VICTORIAN POLITICIANS FROM A GERMAN POINT OF VIEW.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 287, 5 December 1871, Page 4

VICTORIAN POLITICIANS FROM A GERMAN POINT OF VIEW.

The following is a translation of a letter which recently appeared in a German newspaper, published in Melbourne. On reading it, the idea might possibly suggest itself that a German newspaper would not be altogether out of place in New Zealand : — Melbourne, September 28. Our Parliament begins to give me sport now. People are exceedingly wrong if they will judge it by its deeds without knowing the elements it is formed of. At the first railway debate I took a delight in haviDg a close view at our gentlemen members, and surely I must exclaim with Schiller " Unser Schuldbuch ist zerrissen." You may believe me, no one can expect anything from such people as you . see lounging about Parliament house by the dozen, stretching out their legs, shuffling about, picking ■ their noses, cutting their nails, yawning, grunting, aud running after nobblers. Such physiognomies ! lam only sorry for certain gentlemen (who, show the gentlemen at first sight) for being compelled to be in sn|>h society. No, no; it is of no use frpding fault any longer ; these men do only what they can't help ;^ari r d At is dfstriessihg to be compelled to»form curious ideaß about the inteUigence'ro'ltlKe'; electors -of a colotly which boa^|"o s P>OTch io the van of all the Australian' colonies in civilisation, and which' e£peotß'fsm these gentlemem anything good out of their respective callings,

However, what do we Germans know, about British^ omniscience, although we^ have adopted their proverb : " Whenever God give office, lie gives sense at the same time." All right, but it is not God who elects M. P.'s, but the sovereign people. And our Upper House, the men of wise and mature age ! I will be- silent about these honorables, because it is written that we should honor age, although it is sometimes whimsical. They were wise men when they threw out the new Post-office Bill,, reducing the postage ou newspapers to a half-penny after it was passed by a large majority. This reduction would have brought a loss of £3500 to the revenue, anrl in these haTd times the colony could not stand it — although the people would. However, the honorables are right. It is difficult enough to get sufficient money to pay all the salaries; and then to favor these forthcoming newspapers which, under the pretext of enlightening people, make them all the more rebellious and difficult to be ruled over — and smoothly clipped. But where does all the money go to ? Ah ! that is a different affair altogether ! But not to go far, come with me to Flinders -street. Here, for example, they sold just now the Waterworks plant for £456 — machinery which orisinally cost £24,500 — simply because the naughty Yarra, awfully neglected in reference to banks, dams, &c, will now only deliver ditch-water, instead or aqua pur a. This is only one example which beautifully illustrates the great profits our colony derives from our public works. Under such circumstances, to reduce the postage on newspapers is simply absurd.