South Canterbury Times, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 1881.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2635, 31 August 1881, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 1881.

SECOND EDITION

Prince Albert at one time gave considerable offence to the English people by saying that constitutional government was on its trial. Viewing the proceedings of the New Zealand House of Representatives at the present time an impartial observer might reasonably come to the conclusion that Parliamentary Government was yet on its trial in this country. Seeing what

occurred in tlie British House of Commons a few weeks back, some might go further and say that that form of Government was very cumbersome and inefficient in the country where it is supposed to exist in its glory. But we venture to state that the case in New Zealand is worse. The class of men who blocked the business of the Imperial Parliament represent a national feeling which is hostile to the general community. The disrespect for Parliament iias been handed down from generation to generation. The Leaguers of tiie House of Cvnnmons aim at something more than a reform of the land laws. They also desire a great deal more than Home Rule as understood in these colonics. The fact is, that the hulk of the Irish Land Leaguers have no community of feeling whatever with the vast majority of the representatives of the British people. That they should do everything in their power to bring the Parliament of tiie United Kingdom into contempt was only naturally to be expected. ' It is far different with the Nelson members. There is nothing to distinguish them from the representatives of other portions of New Zealand. They are quite as respectable and intelligent as the men returned for other districts. If they are allowed to use the forms of the House to prevent a measure lor the benefit of the whole colony becoming law, it may reasonably be expected that other representatives will adopt a similar course with regard to measures obnoxious to their constituents. If such a state of things is tolerated there will be an end to legislation of a general character in New Zealand.

After Sir George Grey’s speech in the House last night, there remains no

doubt tlmfc he is encouraging the Nelson and West Coast members in their stonewalling tactics. The leader of her Majesty’s Opposition has thrown himself in with the obstructionists. That is a most ugly feature in the affair. In the stonewalling In the English House, of Commons no prominent politician on either side of the House gave the extreme section of the Irish members the slightest encouragement. We have heard a great deal from Sir George Grey about the right of the majority to rule. That is the principle of the Representation Bill. It appears now that there can be no majority in this colony without Sir George Grey being at the head of it. All Canterbury and Otago are in favor of the Representation Bill, but the voice of the people of those two great provincial districts is to go for nought unless Sir George Grey is the mouthpiece. When it suited his purpose, no man in the colony was more violent in denouncing the present unfair distribution of representation. It was certainly the most tangible of the colonial evils which the oxGovernor never wearied of thundering against. Who does not remember innumerable expressions of his. to the effect that he desired to see every man in the country having an equal voice in the government of the country ? Sir George Grey has gone back on the principle contained in one of his stock phrases. The Nelson members are now fighting hard to prevent representation on a population basis, and last night Sir George Grey said posterity would bless them for their endeavors. He also said something about the Representation Bill placing the Government of New Zealand in the hands of a few rich families in the Middle Island. Wo arc not surprised at any argument used by Sir George Grey. People acquainted with the circumstances of both islands know that wealth and family connection exorcise far more influence in the North Is'ancl than in the South Island. In his latest utterance, the Member for the Thames showed himself to be a politician of a most insular type. Ho is of opinion that the proposals in the Representation Bill would inflict a groat injustice on the North Island. The argument would have some force if Cook Strait separated two peoples with widely different national sentiments. That is, however, very far from being the case. Marlborough in tire South Island and Wellington in the North are closely identified in interest and sentiment, and as for Canterbury, had it not been for the representatives from this provincial district, the scat of Government would ere now have been removed from Wellington, The latter’s greatest enemy is Auckland. Cook Strait is simply a geographical dividing line, and no more separates two sets of opinions or interests than if it were a narrow stream. Mr Macandrcw is in a large measure responsible for the crazy idea about Cook Strait being the natural separating line of antagonistic interests. Besides it is not North Island members who are stonewalling the Representation Bill. It is the representatives from Nelson and Westland. That very fact should dispose of the objection that the Representation Bill proposes to give a preponderance of political power to the South Island. The opponents of the measure are indeed hard pushed for arguments. The arguments used against the Bill arc trivial and contemptible. .At present, Nelson, with a population of 21,000, returns nine members to the House of Representatives, whilst Canterbury, with 110,000, only returns fourteen. The object of the Ministerial Bill is to remove such glaring inequalities. No man with truly Liberal instincts could vote for a continuance of the present system of representation. It is rumored that at the next general election Sir George Grey intends standing for a Canterbury constituency. If ho does, the clears will not forget his present attitude with regard to the Representation Bill. By aiding the Nelson and West Coast obstructionists be is rapidly forfeiting the confidence of the Liberal party. There never was a meaner attempt in any country to prevent substantial justice being clone.