The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1884. OUR LEGISLATORS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1234, 2 September 1884, Page 2

The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1884. OUR LEGISLATORS.

Our politicians are evidently becoming very degenerate. The last Parliament was selfish and corrupt, but it was virtuous compared with the present one. The last Parliament troubled itself principally with the payment of their wives’ fares to Wellington, £2lO for 10 days’ work, and so forth, and when they got these they allowed Major Atkinson to rule the country as he liked. I3e had only to hold up his finger and cry “ no-confidence.” and the majority of the members were at bis beds at once. There were a great many very interior men in the last Parliament, and consequently nothing extraordinary could be expected from them ; but after all they were better than the present members. So long as they got the little they wanted tor themselves they were manageable, but that is not the case now. The payment of their wives’ fares and the honorarium is not enough for the present stock of legislators —they could not be satisfied with such trifles — for about one-tenth of them believe themselves heaven-born Premiers, and about one-half feel confident that no Ministry can possibly be complete without them, The difference between the past and present Parliament is that while the majority in the late one were content with £2lO, the majority of the present one will not be satisfied with anything less than £1250, and the power attached to a seat on the treasury benches. It is evident that with a Parliament thus constituted legislation is impossible, and although we may laugh and joke at their expense, we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that the position of parties is getting very serious. It is now nearly a month since Parliament as sembled and nothing has yet been done, except what is extremely humiliating, and dangerous to the well-being of the State. Never in the whole history of constitutional government has such a crisis arisen, and it is very doubtful whether we have reached the end of it yet. All this cannot possibly have any but a prejudicial effect on our credit in the London market, and it is likely to deter capitalists from coming to live in this colony. Besides, the country is being put to great expense, mnd needful legislation is being delayed. And yet all this has been brought about by the peoples’ tribune—the great Sir George Grey. He alone is responsible for it, and he will render legislation impossible so long as he is in the House, for there are still a few brainless idiots so ixifatnated with him that they will follow where he leads. We hoped when he failed in forming a Ministry his following would see the folly of attaching themselves to him any longer, but this is not the case. He still retains a hold of nine or ten votes, .and so long as he does no Ministry can feel safe, for they cannot tell the moment Sir George Grey may turn round on them. He is in favor of a land tax : yet when the Stout-Vogel Ministry proposed to abolish the property tax and put on a land tax, he voted against them ; and when he failed in forming a Ministry he advised the Governor to send for Major Atkinson. Sir George Grey has frequently stomped the country, and the burden of his song was that Major Atkinson had robbed “ unborn millions” of people, yet this robber of the unborn was the very man Sir George Grey recommended the Governor to send for to rule the country, and the very moment the Ministry is formed he voted against it and kills it. Thus it matters not to him who is in power, whether property-tax or land-tax men he will vote against them. It is time his mischief-making capacities were put an end to ; and there is one consolation, it is bound to end before long, owing to old age. It is a pity that a career so brilliant as his should have a termination eo unsatisfactory.