PARLIAMENTARY EXCUSES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5786, 15 October 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY EXCUSES.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sin,—l was not a little surprised at the pitiable excuse given by Mr. Stewart, member for Dunedin, the other night, for changing sides as he has done. He stated that he was returned pledged against Grey—Grey being now removed from office he felt at liberty to remove to the other side of the House. Surely Mr. Stewart must know what Grey’s retiring, and Messrs. Macaudrew, Montgomery, and perhaps Stewart remaining in and taking office means. It means —and here comes the lameness and diaingenuousness of Mr. Stewart’s excuse—that while Sir George Grey is removed from the Premiership he, with his Auckland nominees, who are bound to do as they are bid by him, notwithstanding the bit of bounce to the contrary made by Mr. Swanson the other night, will rule the Macandrew Cabinet, even if Mr. Stewart should be included therein, and through them rule the country ; so that the country will have exchanged Sir George Grey as Premier, responsible for his actions, for Sir George Grey as dictator, entirely irresponsible, Mr. Macandrew and Co. becoming his tools and scapegoats. I do from my heart pity those poor Auckland sheep, and mourn for humanity at the docility with which they f..15..t their leader. I defy them to give a sinj.. vnte without his advice and consent; and yet these poor slaves are so deluded as to suppose themselves Liberals, and that they are the champions of liberty while thus hugging the chains by which they are deprived of their own freedom of action.—l am, £c., Democrat.