SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1901. POLITICIANS, AWAKE Wanted—a Progress Report.

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 40, 6 April 1901, Page 8

SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1901. POLITICIANS, AWAKE Wanted— a Progress Report.

SURELY never before was there a season of such prolonged rest in the political world. One would imagine that the millennium had settled down upon New Zealand, so calm and unruffled is the atmosphere — so slumberous and peaceful are the attitude and demeanour of the people who are apt to call each other such hard names in Parliament. Not a discordant note, or even the feeblest whisper of discontent, from the Opposition camp — even there everything as dull as ditchwater. As for Ministers, well they all have had time to treat themselves to holiday trips here and there, and are applying themselves with commendable diligence and business-like regularity to the despatch of routine affairs in their several departments. The only Minister who has lifted his voice from the public platform is the Hon. Mr. Ward, and that was at Te Awamutu some time ago. # * * Of course, all this may be accepted as a great compliment to the Go\ eminent. Then 1 administration has been so thoroughly safe and sound that no one has the temerity to thiow a stone at it. True, the Leadei of the Opposition is otherwise engaged. But the fact that he accepted appointment to a Federation Commission which takes him away to Australia, and keeps his hands full during the recess, shews thrct there is nothing for him to make a noise about. All his ablest lieutenants, and even those independent spirits that own allegiance to no party, and who camp in the Ca\e of Adullam, are too busy with other fish to fry to bother their heads about politics. * * VIn the Government camp just a few restless souls ha\e been thumping the drum political. Jn the case of Wairarapa Hornsby and lionsand Smith it was probably because they bad something on their minds, and, as for Riccarton Russell, it is to be presumed he just wanted to give the country the usual periodical reminder that if any party needs a leader he is still waiting engagement. With these few and faint interruptions a dead political silence broods o\er the drowsy land. * * # Well, we do not want to disturb this Sabbatic calm, and, with any unmannerly clamour, to call away either party or any party from the intense preoccupation with which they are minding their own business. Still, the so\ereign people have some claims to attention and to Ministers they naturally look. The financial year has come to an end and the time for the assembling of Parliament is drawing on apace.

Now is the opportune time for a progress report from the stewards of the State about the condition of its domestic affairs — its financial position and the prospects for continued fine weather or heavy squalls. In a word, Mr. Seddon may be sure of an attentive hearing from an expectant colony as soon as he likes to step forward to the foot-lights. Now is the acceptable time for a political deliverance. Very shortly everybody will be busy with preparations to receive our expected Royal visitors. In the meantime, the Premier may as well take the floor and let the people into his confidence.