The Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 1884. THE DISSOLUTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1193, 19 June 1884, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 1884. THE DISSOLUTION.

Thk Governor has granted an vppeal to the country to the Atkinson Ministry. He could not hare done otherwise. There were rumor* afloat for the past few day* to the effect that be had refused a dissolution, but we never believed it, because we felt certain that so able a man as Sir W, Jerrois would neyer give the ruling of the colony into the hands of such a disorganised Opposition. If the Ministry had consulted their interests they would hare resigned and recommended the Governor to send for one of the many leaders of the Opposition. If this had been done there would hare been such a scramble for office as never was heard of; the “ Kilkenny eats ” did not demolish each other more effectually than would the various parties which call themselves the Opposition. Sir George Grey’a “ unearned increment ” would never be accepted by Mr Wakefield’s constitutional party ; Mr Montgomery’s separation schemes watld net be acceptable to either, and if either of these got into office, the result would be that they would have to go out again next day. We notice that some of our contemporaries—notably the Lyttelton Times and the Timeru Herald —are gloating over the defeat of the Government. Now, what is there to gloat over ? This Parliament would have expired at any rate at the end of this session, and we should have had the genera! election in December next. The present Government are accused of many sins, and perhaps very justly so. W« do not by any means intend to defend tbtrn, but after all we think that it waa not worti while to turn them out of office until after the general election. 1 o do so will cost -the colony an immense sum ; first, the members will get a double honorarium out of it, and second, legislation will be deluded and the public mind will be un-.ettlod until parties are again formed. If Parliament had had a year or two to run we should have highly ! approved of the course adopted, but it j

was drawing near its end—the deathrattles were in its throat—it had only a few months to live at any rate; old age would have terminated its miserable existence, and it was not worth while to kill it in such a way that it will cost the country perhaps £40,000 or ±,50,000 to attend its funeral. Now, is this the way to cure depression—to heap further expense upon us ? Could not the Opposition bays prevented the Government from passing laws they thought undesirable ? hare had a short session, and called Parliament together again immediately after the general election* We almost feel inclined to think that the leaders of the Opposition bad no thought but a desire for office, and their followings a desire for a double honorarium. Out of all that turned tail on the Government only the Canterbury members had any real grievance. They msy be pardoned owing to the time (he Government raised the railway tariff. The northern members, Captain Morris and Messrs Sutton and Whitaker, are Native land sharks, and the cause of their defection was Mr Bryce’s Native Land Bill, because it will put an end to their “ little plans.” Mr Levestsm’s reason was that “ a carpenter from Canterbury had been taken to Nelson to work for the Government.” What a small-minded, contemptible reason for turning a Government out of office on the eve of a general election. Mr Wakefield had a better reason. The Government opposed him when he contested the Inangshua seat, and it was only human nature that be should have it in for them. There is a great deal of human nature in Mr Waksfield—and, ws fear, very little of the divine—and as it is said that to forgive is divine, forgiveness could hardly be expected from him. The Government deserved what they got from that gentleman, end be appears to have given it to them fresly. Taking the whole circumstances which have led to the fall of the Ministry ‘into consideration, it appears to us that greed, selfishness and spitsfuiness played a greater part in it than patriotic feelings. Since the present Parliament came into existence we have looked upon it as the moat corrupt and the most incapable ever known in this colony, and it has maintained its character in its dying agonies. Members have sold their votes to the Government, and boasted of having done so to their constituents ; they hare wrangled over their wives’ expenses and done other disgraceful things, and now those who havs received the Government’s loaves and fishes have voted for ousting the same Government out of office. But there is the double honorarium I Someone has said that political honesty has never yet been met with. This can be said truly of the present Parliament.