The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1887. DOUBLE PAY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1589, 2 June 1887, Page 2

The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1887. DOUBLE PAY.

Wb can find no language strong enough to express the disgust we feel at the action of our representatives in Parlia merit. In 1884 Parliament was dissolved six months before it would have of time, and in thai rear there were two sessions and double pay. The whole country cried out against double pay then, but the country only growled, and returnsd almost exclusively the same men to Parliament, The trick had now been repeated. Just now, within two months of the real dia lution, Parliament is again dissolved, and there will be two sessions and double pay. Is th 9 country now going to countenance the repetition of this miserable, contemptible trickery by reelecting the men who are the cause of this dishonest misapplication of public money? If they do the trick will be repeated, and it will soon be fount that two sessions and double, pay will be of more frf-qnent occurrence. If the people took our advice not one of those who so scandalously and shamefully voted for turning Government out of office at the present juncture would get back into Parliament, at any rate for the next six years. If the same men are put back then we may bid adieu to all hopes of Bound or honest legislation. How could it be possible ? The present Government has a following of about 45 ; the Opposition consists of 49, and haß a msjority of about 4. Now who are those opposed to the Government ? Major.Atkinsou, Sir G. Grey, Mr Ormond, and Mr Montg»mpry—the most deadly enemies in the political arena. The balance of the Opposition is composed of the most heterogeneous and discordant elements it would be possible to conceive, and to get a Ministry that would stand out of this miserable place-hunting rabble is a matter of utter imp< ssibility. If the same men are sent b»ck to Parliament, what has happened now will occur as soon as Parliament reassembles, there will be the same scrambiing for office, the same waste of. time, and the same disreputable tactics that now disgraces the

colony and the legislature, Last Friday, the Ministry were defeated, and in accord«ncß with constitutional principles the; applied to, and obtained from, His Excellency the Governor, a dissolution. Yesterday, when the Premier intimated this to the House Msjor Atkinson grew outrageously indignant. He Raid the Government had a right to resign insiffti) of dissolving Parliament, as it «voi)M put the country to the expense >A a second session. Did Major Atkinson consider this expense to the country in JBB4 when be was defeated. He had not a ahred of policy, but he appealed to the country, and had two sessions and doublt\ pay, yet he condemns the present Government aow for appealing to the country on the tariff question, " Do as I tell you, but don't do as I do, " is the sum and aqbstanea of M»jor Atkinson's utterances. A few weeks before Par-' liament met, Major Atkinson told his I Uawera constituents that there would be two sessions. Why did he anticipate I

it ? Why did he not condemn it th«n ? Why did he suggest such a possibility ? Could he not have foreseen that it might act as an inducement to many to turn the Government out? or did he throw it out as a sap to the hungry double-pay seekers to vote in that direction 1

The position is now this : Tbn Government have obtained a dinaolution, but before going to the country ins necessary to get sufficient money to carr? on the business of the cuin'.ry, and it is nW necessary to get (he new Representation Act passed into law. The old Representation Act will expire en the first of next December, and any Parliament elected under it would die with it. If, therefore, an election took p'ace under the present Representation Act another election would have to be held in December next. The new Representation Act has passed the Lower House, and there remains now only that the Legislative Council shall pass it. It will therefore be seen that it is absolutely necessary that the Act shall pass before Parliament is dissolved, yet Major Atkinson and his followers are straining every nerve to prevent it. According to tbe correspondent of the Press the Opposilion membeis are contemplating presenting a memorial to the Governor 'praying that he will dismiss the presont Ministers and send for Major Atkinson to form a new Ministry. Iliis is ouingeous, shocking, and disgraceful ; a more barefaced, scandalous, shameless struggle to get into office never was heard of, and we sincerely trust it will result in the complete discomfiiure of the place-bunting, office-seeking crew who have lived on this colony till they have brought it to ruin. Major Atkinson, Mr Rolleston, and many of the others have lived permanently on this colony almost since they came into it, and they have secured a living for many of their friends, and the shameless way in which they are trying to get back into office ought to bring upon them t'ae scorn and contempt of the colony,