Mangonui County Times AND NORTHERN REPRESENTATIVE. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1904. Parliament in Recess.

Northland Age, Volume 1, Issue 14, 15 November 1904, Page 2

Mangonui County Times AND NORTHERN REPRESENTATIVE.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1904. Parliament in Recess.

“What right, what true, what fit we justly call, 9 Let this be all my care—for this is all.” —Pope.

The Colony’s Relief. JHa&yiftmd’s fifteenth parliament has at last prorogued. Members have reached their respective homes presumably well satisfied with themselves generally, and their labours at the House of inane “ talkee-talkee.” No doubt when they sign vouchers for their honorariums, they individually will accept payment feeling that they at least have done their duty conscientiously; but to the intelligent elector who follows up the political game, the last session will rank as being one of the most barren in results. Throughout the coloQvJt i 8 generally admitted that'tfie Premier’s star is in the descendant, and, if the amount of obstinacy and self-will as shown by hitherto servile followers is a criterion, then we say the star will speedily set.

We have no hesitation in affirming that the chief reason for this loss of prestige is the Government’s studied indifference to the interests of the backbone of the community, i.e., the farmers. On the other hand, the unionists and lahorites—led by agitators who have done infinite harm to the Colony, having been instrumental in enacting the present restrictive labor legislation in consequence of which capital, so much needed to develop the Colony’s resources, has become shy and diverted elsewhere—have been spoon-fed and mollycoddled until at last, as a climax, Dictator Dick the Giant was lust session, being dictated to by the class he had served so well, and threatened with the secession of the, unionists, oblivion, and other dire penalties, failing further labor legislation as advanced by the party. We claim no gift af prophecy, but have no doubt that next general election will see members returned for country constituencies very strongly pledged to conserve the interests of the producers, which have for so many years been neglected by successive governments.