THE GOVERNMENT BENCH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5491, 1 November 1878, Page 3

THE GOVERNMENT BENCH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

(From tho Kangitihei Advocate's special.) During the last week the Council has had under discussion the very few important measures which the Government has carried through the Lower House. Thoy had, as I have already described, been for tho most part dragged through that House by tho cart-rope threats of Ministerial crises, or appeals to the country ; and the knowledge of this fact was not likely to induce the Lords to let them pass their Chamber without much discussion. Tha usual genial aud dignified tone of tha Legislative Council gave way to earnest arguments, to no small amount of personal conflict, and to something more nearly approaching tho warmer atmosphere of the Chamber occupied by the representatives of the people. The Government found little sympathy at the bands of the Council, though n small minority were read to vote steadily as they were required ; but all the intelligence aud intellectual force' of the Chamber was arrayed on the Opposition side. The Government, it is true, is very badly represented in the Council, Colonel Whitmore, the Colonial Secretary, who leads the Government side, is known as the Conservative member of the Ministry, and it is impossible that he should otherwise than in a half-hearted manner advocate measures dictated by his Radical colleagues—Grey, Stout, aud BaUauce. It is quite apparent to the ear and to the eye that he takes up the Bills he has to introduce and fight for much as a delicate dandy might hft from the gutter with the end of his cane the carcass of a putrid rat. He dangles them before the Council for awhile, offering such reasons as he may be able to invent on the moment, to induce the Council to accept the unsavory morsels. The hollowness of the performance is too transparent, and of course invites the onslaught of his opponents. Though ho probably agrees with nearly every word they say, his naturally contradictious temper will not allow him quietly to acquiesce, but he generally returns to the charge, and being unable to defend his measure, slings personal abuse at the heads ef his opponents. This he does in tone of voice, and with an offensiveness of manner extremely unbecoming in the representative of tho Government, and it seldom fails to provoke hard words in return. In the discussion on tho Electoral Bill tho other night, when the debate was going dead against the Government, he made himself so offensive that the Honorable John Hall called attention to it, and stated that one of the most respected members of tbe council had told him that if Colonel Whitmore was to represent the Government another session, he would certainly not attend in his place. The Government has another representative in the Council, who was put there to help Colonel Whitmore, that Mr, Wilson, whose appointment as an M. L.C. last year was the subject of one of Sir George Grey’s conflicts with the Governor, when tho latter refused to make tho appointment during the pendency of a vote of want of confidenoe. It must be admitted now, that if the Governor refused on the ground that Mr. Wilson was likely to give unfair weight in the balance, his refusal was quite unnecessary; he adds no weight whatever to the side he espouses; but is about as unfortunate an example as I ever saw of a gentleman who had lost his way, when lie blundered into political life. He is what the sailors call a mere “ chip in porridge,” aud for any use he is to the Government, might as well be in the island of Cyprus, or the passes of A&'ghaniatan.