Political Gossip.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 533, 15 June 1880, Page 2

Political Gossip.

PECKSNIFF IN POLITICS. Pecksniff shouts aloud to Ida hearers, after, painting in- lurid, colors the future punishment from which tliey have escaped by listening to his voice : “ See what a horrible fate I have rescued and preserved you from.” The Honorable Plausible John Hall in like manner on every occasion lifts up his voice, and tells the country through its representatives, “ See! the difficulties and-dangers I have .extricated you from, brought upon you by the Grey maladministration.” The process is identical. We have the greatest possible respect for the Premier of New Zealand, but for the life of us we cannot resist the temptation of comparing the Honorable John Hall to Pecksniff. The member, for Selwyn, it should be borne in mind, is the most righteous man in the House of Representatives. If at any particular moment he is found ■ lacking some; especial virtue, he assumes it. The moral raiment he on seems to fit him so well, it is a mSr for regret-the virtues he adopts are not displayed in some eccleisiastical arena instead of the halls of our legislature. He wouldbebetter appreciated there.- —Wang. Herald. .

PACKING COMMITTEES. The Conservative mechanical majority that for so many years sat like an incubus on the back of England is being copied in a ; sinaii way in i New Zealand. ' For tlie first time in the history of this colony has the abused’ the might of a majority by “ packing” the political Committees of the House. The effect of, the action is not difficult to foresee. Ques-tions'-that should receive a judicial investigation will; now be decided, on party lines, arid all, the ext’reme fealurcs of political pa’rtizansbip made manifest. ' 'The unseating of Sir Geo. Grey is an "example of what can be done by a political committee.—Wang. Herald. , : : I i : ;( : /. Mi : ' ; CATTLE EXPORE POLICY, i Mr Hurstbouseyone’of the Nelson members, did' his Test ; to' kill the Wanganui export trade in stock by..,moving that all transportation of cattle from the North to the South Island-.should be suspended until, tije disease of pleuro-pneumonia, had been stain peel ..out... Tire motion was opposed'by "the Government, Mr Ballance also speaking very-strongly ■ against it. — Herald.