The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY). SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1879.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5837, 13 December 1879, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY). SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1879.

A party which is really strong often grows stronger by defeat. The faults of generalship or the want of discipline which brought about the defeat will be laid to heart, and ever after carefully guarded against. “ Sweet are the uses “ of adversity,” says the. ” , *~ necessity ror unity will be more readily recognised by the members of the party, and min®r differences of opinion will be set aside, when their very existence as a party is threatened. Immediately after a crushing defeat or disaster, when the army is scattered and demoralised by the effects of a disorderly retreat, there is often a short period of confusion during which no real discipline and no organised force can be said to exist. The com-mander-in-chief who has been defeated may perhaps resign his command, and some difficulty be found in appointing a successor ; but in spite of all these drawbacks, it is expected that there will soon be at least a pretence at reorganisation, and that an attempt will quickly be made to collect the scattered remnants of the army, and recruit and reorganise the forces. It this is not done, then it may be fairly assumed that the enemy has given up the contest, and is prepared to accept whatever terms are offered. The GREY-cum-MACANDREW party now occupies this position ; the contest between Parliamentary parties has been decided, and the Ministry can practically impose almost any terms they choose. Their opponents have no recognised leader ; the majority

against the Government Qwhich a few weeks ago was but two or three at the most, now varies from ton to eleven. Mr. Maoandrew cannot even pretend to enforce the ordinary Parliamentary discipline among the obstreperous raw recruits who have ranged themselves on his side. Most of them appear to think themselves at liberty to fight for their own hand, and to interfere with the ordinary routine business whenever the fit takes them. They irritate the Government by factious opposition, which can-

not possibly do any good, and which certainly tends to destroy all those feelings of respect and courtesy which honorable opponents always extend towards each other in any contest. If hon. members who have been defeated, and are now in opposition, decline to be bound by considerations of honor and courtesy, they might at least remember that disorderly conduct tends to lower the House in the eyes of the public; that the Chamber of the Legislature is looked upon as the example to be followed by all those who now take part in the local self-government of the country in County or Borough Councils, Road Boards, &c. It is also certain that when members conduct themselves like a lot of rowdy schoolboys, and waste their own time and that of their colleagues, they not only render themselves ridiculous in the eyes of the public, but also waste a large amount of public money. The last shore session of Parliament cost, in round numbers, about £20,000; it lasted exactly one month. The present session began on the 24th September, and will have lasted when itprorogues next week very nearly three months. It cannot have cost the country less than £30,000. Consequently, the legislation of this year will have averaged, during the 110 days or so that Parliament has been in session, about £SOO a day. It is quite true that a few days more or less added to or subtracted from a session, do not very materially affect its cost; nevertheless, the figures which we have adduced show that legislation is expensive work, and certainly justify a protest against waste of time. Legitimate discus-

sion ventilates a subject, aud a-its every consideration ; but faous opposition, got up simply iv, a view to harass and anne a Parliamentary party, involving stly delay, the expense of which has> be borne hy the public, deserves to baeld up to public reprobation. Hither the New Zealand Parliament has bee a good name among the Australian cmies for orderly conduct and a gentlemly, courteous tone of debate. Judgi; by what we have seen of late, it is inreat danger of losing its reputation. The Young Now Zealand party is like to earn for itself a new name, and to rechristened the “Rowdy Radicals.”