MR DONALD REID ON PARTY GOVERNMENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 143, 14 June 1878, Page 4

MR DONALD REID ON PARTY GOVERNMENT.

I believe that very much of the obloquy cast on myself is because I have not been what is called a strong enough party man. Ido not igaore the use of party government. I say that party must be the foundation of government tinder the genius of our constition, but I say also that if there is to be party government parties must have principles, and; the leaders must not require members to vote simply for party without respect to principles, and without respect to the objects which the wish to achieve. I say that the system of party government which is being initiated: in this colony by Mr Stout and others is one that will have a most injurious effect on political affaire, land will degrade politics. The system of party government they wish to establish ;is that men shall have no principles of their own, that there shall be one [or two great leaders, and that all members shall. be elected by the constituencies, to support those lenders, no matter what they may bring forward, or whether; it is right or wroDg. I have here a short extract on the effects of party government, written by a master hand who bas studied and seen the effects of party government. It is as follows : — " The party men is a dangerous politician. He baa associated his Bmbition, his interests, and his affections with a party. He prefers, doubtless, that his 'aide should ba victorious \y the best meanß, and under the championship ofi'good men } but rather than lose the victory he will consent to an// means, and follow any roan. Thus,' with a general desire to be upright, the exigency of his party constantly pußbes him to diefcoqorable deeds. He opposes fraud by craft, Jie by lie, slander by counbr aspersion. To be sure, it is wrong to mis-state, to distort, to Bnppresa lor color facts; it is wrong to employ ihe evil pkßsiooa, to set' class against elates, tbepoor against the rich, the counbVy Bginßt the city, the farmer against ih& mechanic, one section against another section. But bis opponents do it, ajnd if they will take advantage of mebV corruption, lie no us l v or loße by his Virtue. He gradually adopts tjsvo characters-— a personal and politic jal character. AH the. requisitions -of his conscience he obeys in his private character 5 ail the requisitions of his party he obeys in hia political condrici. In one character he ia^ man of prinr ciple, in the other a man of mere expedients. As a man he means ' to jbe veracious, honest, moral; as a politician he is deceiiful, cunning, unscrupulous— anything for party. As a man he abhors the slimy demagogue; co a politician he employs- him as ~a eca-.-venger. As a man he shrinks from the flagitioußneee of slander- as a politician he permits if, smiles upbn it in others, rejoices in the success gained by it As a man he respects no one who is" rotten in heart, as a politician, no nian through whom victory may be gained can be too bad. As a citizen he isian apostle of temperance ; as a politician he puts his shoulder under the men who deluge "their track with whisky, marching a crew of bawling patriots,' pugnaciously drunk', to exercise, the freeman's noblest franohiae — the vote. As a citizen he is considerate of the young and counsels them with admirable wisdomij then, aa a -politician !he voteß for tools, supporting /or thW TDBgistf aoy worshipful; aspirants scraped from the. ditch,, the grogshop and the brothel ; thus saying- by deeds, which the young are quick to understand, ■* I jested when I warned you of bad company, for yoa perceive none worse than' those whom I delight, to honor., " Gentlemen, I could, aimoßt imagine (hat the. writer had in; .view events have occurred in New Zealand during the last six or seven months. (Laughter.)