CONTEMPORARY OPINIONS ON POLITICS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 178, 9 July 1884, Page 2

CONTEMPORARY OPINIONS ON POLITICS.

The late member for Hokonui has the ability, the keen insight into public affairs and the sound judgment requisite for the position. That he is not an accomplished orator is of small account in comparison with these gifts. It is strange to find such an important constituency as Tuapeka represented as it is. It cannot be because of Mr. Brown’s political intelligence, for beyond a faculty for outwitting his opponents he docs not possess any. The solution may possibly be found in the fact that he is ever and always obtaining money for this and the other local road or sludge channel, or some work of equal national concern. For Mount Ida Mr. De Lautour is not standing. He wisely avoids defeat by retirement. The Wakatipu seat has long been the sport of fortune—its representative changing with almost every turn of the political kaleidoscope. The recent member is no speaker at any time, but he is a steady voter at all times. His chief merit consists in supporting Ministers, right or wrong, and getting in return a goodly share of public money expended in his district. This is such a great recommendation with the bulk of the electors that he has a very fair chance of being again elected. There is no accounting for tastes, and it is possible that, even with the bitter experience of the past three years, the new Parliament may not show any great improvement. If this should be so, the fault will assuredly lie with the electors, who hold the remedy in their own hands -, but it is only fair to hope for better results from the coming elections. "Peace, progress, prosperity, and Sir Julius Vogel,” is likely to be the winning cry at the general election. The function of the leader of the Opposition is to be the brake on the wheel, and a wheel which has Sir Julius Vogel’s powers of rotation needs a very good brake. Sir George Grey’s small following in the House will certainly not be increased in the new. He could not form a Ministry which would last twenty-four hours. Be on your guard against the politician who poses as the working man’s friend. He is about the biggest fraud that ever enters the political world.