PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5370, 13 June 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —I have read with interest your leading article of Monday last, referring to the retirement of Mr. Donald Reid—with interest and pain. Surely, sir, the facts that the Parliament of this country has been steadily deteriorating for some years, that pothouse politicians may be met therein, that a principal rule of conduct appears to be how much men may advance their own interests by being in the House —are all so many reasons why honorable men who are trained politicians should not withdraw from the political arena. Now, sir, when a fetish of promises is being so blindly and foolishly bowed down to, is surely not the time for clear-sighted men to withdraw, and leave the legislation of the colony to a crowd of ignorant men, guided by one who, for present ends, promises Utopia in the future. Greyism, like all other crazes, will pass away with time; but meanwhile much mischief may be done if Mr. Reid’s example is followed. Let not our good men and true follow the example of Achilles, and withdraw in dignified displeasure. Let them rather hold to their posts, when they can do so with honor, and endeavor to temper the nonsense which is sure to flood the House of Representatives during the ensuing session. Mr. Button’s reasons I can appreciate. They do him honor. If the feeling of his constituents is strongly in favor of Grey and Grey alone, he is perhaps wise to retire for a time, till the fever passes. But I hope we have heard the last of such withdrawals as that of Mr. Reid, and that the remainder of our staunch fighting men will e'en ge down to the battle with stout hearts, determined to protect the growing interests of this young and vigorous colony,—l am, &0., G. 0. A. June 12,