The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, JULY 29, 1880

Temuka Leader, Issue 276, 29 July 1880, Page 2

The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, JULY 29, 1880

Never in the memory of man was the affairs of the New Zealand Government interwoven with party as it is now. The Hall party, through fair promises and smooth speeches, were able to beguile many of the unwary, and so induce them to give the reigns into their hands. Everything that was good was to be done, and those things that the naughty boys. Sir George Grey and Mr John Sheehan, had done to the great disgrace of the Colony, would be for ever wiped out, and the originators sent about their business. There were not wanting those who believed this fair tale, and so they allowed themselves to be led by the subtle little man and his band of devoted followers in the hope that at least it would be a Government that would go in for economy and more judicious expenditure. It was quite plain to all outsiders that it was a class Government, and that the monied class would be attended to, In this particular there has been no disappointment; but there were some who thought that Mr Hall would propose a certain measure of reform. In this they have not been wrong. We have had schemes of. reforms, and schemes for retrenchment without stint. Railway Com 7 missions, Industrial Commissions, and

all sorts of Commissions, and what have they all come ;o. They simply served to throw the glamour over the members’ eyes till they could get the measures of reform, demanded by the people, quietly shelved, We must give Mr Hall credit for being an expert in the art of nicromancy. He handles his cards well, and seems to know every card in the pack—when to bring this one or that one into play. The session is now drawing to an end, and what has been done ? Literal y nothing- A great flourish of trumpets at first, and then all vanishes in thin air. To any one who takes the trouble to look a little behind the scenes, the sight would repay him. He would then see Hall engaging Reader Wood, Rolleston keeping down Wakefield, Hall coquetting with Johnny Sheehan, Major A-tkinson trying to soup over Montgomery, Oliver frissling Macandrew’a hair, Whitaker (the young fawn) setting his teeth at Dr Wallis, and so on all the picture through. To any one that takes the trouble to study for a little the manoeuvring that has been going on for the last two months, the discovery would bo edifying. It may be safely said never before has so determined an attempt been made to break down the Liberal party, and never before with such apparent success, as the process of undermining gono on so continuously. Poor Sir George Grey—the truest lie irted of the ] o p_i s being sold by his professed friends on all sides, without the least reluctance, while party intrigues are rife in the lobbies of the House ; and to the Conservatives all goes'merry as <a marriage bell. What care they for a Mr Conyers or a Mr Somebody else wasting thousands, so long as their income remains intact. A great blew of trumpets took place a week or two ago about reducing the salaries of Government loafers. What has it all come to I—lo1 —10 per cent taken off ihe already small incomes of the hardest worked section, and all is quiet again. Honorariums go on as ever. Does any one believe that the Hull Government were sincere, in their proposals to reduce the honorarium. Either they were not sincere, or they bold the Ministerial Benclus unvvarrentably. In a few weeks the session will be closed, and all will be glossed over again. The same giddy whirl of the Ministerial gig will be again commenced—the same fresh renewal of promises set on foot. Members seeming secure in their scats for another session will not trouble themselves about the Representation Bill or any other bills. Nothing but the people taking the matter into their own hands will arouse them from the liturgy which will very soon set in. Mr Hall, in his quiet corner, will chuckle over his success in the game. Mr Rolleston will repeat the same blunt hotheaded expressions at Papanui. Mr Hall will go down once more to Leeston to puzzle the simple-minded, and poor old Dick will go back to the South to tell of the wonders he has seen, and talk of the sharp little man that did the work. But there will be an awakening. Dunedin, at the present moment, is a puzzle to many How intelligent men can be led by the nose so long surprises outsiders, Jbnt there will be an awakening, when Tom, Dick, and Harry, as well as “ canny” Dan, will have to look to their ammunition. As for Canterbury, it lias never Hie courage of its principles A little more soft soaping will smooth over the sore, and Johnny Hall will be as big, and crow as loud as ever. Never, we repeat, has New Zealand politics been in such a mess, but the end is not yet.