The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1889. THE HARE SYSTEM.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1901, 8 June 1889, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1889. THE HARE SYSTEM.

The Hon. Mr Fergus, in his recent speech, condemned “ fads ” yet he propounded, and tie Government of which he is a member is going to introduce, the greatest and most mischievous “ fad ’’ the world has yet beard of—namely, the Hare system of election. A Bill embodying this system was introduced last session, but the members of Parliament declared they could not understand it, and it never went any farther. It was received so coldly that we thought we had heard the last of it, but evidently a determined effort will be made during the coming session to get it passed into law. The object which the Government pretend to have in view is to give representation to minorities—that is, to enable any section of the community to elect representatives of their own class, We cannot see what the minorities could gain by this. For instance, let us suppose that tbe Hare system became law, it would in all probability enable Catholics to send a few members to Parliament, if they worked well and faithfully together j Blue Ribbomsts and Good Templars would also elect representatives, and thus these minorities would be represented.

This is what is called representation of minorities, and it is to give minorities such representation that the measure is being introduced, if we are to believe what the members of the Government say. Taking it in the most favorable light from the Catholic standpoint, and supposing that body was able to return five members pledged to their own peculiar views to Parliament, what would they gain by it ? They would have five members in Parliament to fight 69 other members. The battle would be unequal—there would be only one to 14—and, do their best, they could gain no advantage. The Good Templars and Blue Ribbonists would bo exactly in the same position. They would have a few members in Par

liament to represent their views; but they would be in a minority, and could effect no good. It is, therefore, all nonsense to talk of giving representation to minorities. Such a thing is inconsistent with democratic institutions, and never can proye advantageous either to the minorities or to the State. The Hare system would only lead to every little clique or set returning its own member, with the result that Parliament would be composed of warring elements, whose sole idea of legislation would be to get exactly what was on the ticket on which they were elected. There would be confusion worse confounded, and the minorities as well as the State would suffer. But it is not the minorities but the money-rings in whose interests the measure is being introduced. “ Show me your company, and I will tell you what you are,” is a trite and true saying, and if we apply it to the Hare system we shall have little difficulty in finding out what it is. Who are its friends ? The Christchurch Press and the ring which runs it, Mr Rhodes, Sir John Hall, and all the thoroughgoing Conservative politicians in the colony. On the other hand, all the Liberal members are opposed to it, with the exception of Mr Turnbull, and, judging from his most recent performances, he can no longer be regarded as a Liberal. Under the Hare system the districts would be very large. Probably the whole of the Province of Canterbury would be divided into two constituencies, and thus it would become impossible for anyone except a wealthy man to contest an election. That is what the present Government are aiming at, and that is the reason why the Hare system finds favor with the Christchurch Press. We feel confident that it will not be adopted, but if it does the greatest possible blow will be struck at the liberties of the people of this colony.

RAILWAY MISMANAGEMENT. The Chief Commissioner of Railways has informed the Press Agency that he has received from the merchants and travellers of Dunedin and Christchurch assurances that the new timetable is working well. That, then, is all right, and the matter is settled. A few in Dunedin and Christchurch are satisfied, and it does not matter one straw what the country yokels think of it. They can sweat and groan and wince under the oppressive tyranny of the railway management ; their interests are disregarded so long as the cities are satisfied, and there is no one to sympathise with them. It is only just what might be expected. “ God helps those who help the nselves.” A few of the Christchurch and Dunedin people have signified their approval of the new arrangements, so as to encourage the management to adhere to them, but no effort can move the people in this district to make a fcounter-representation. We have done our best in the matter; we have been backed up by Mr Rhodes in it, but there is no one else moving, and the Commissioners, of course, will

conclude that the people are satisfied. There is not one single individual satisfied—yet there is not enough public spirit in the district to give expression to that dissatisfaction in a public way. We have tried to induce our public bodies to pass resolutions on the subject, and follow the example set by the Ashburton people, but unfortunately our public bodies have very little public spirit. They can not be got to move in the matter, but that is nothing new, as they have not a soul above anything which is not within the four corners of the Act of Parliament. Of course, the Commissioners will conclude that the country is satisfied as well as the cities when no representation is made to them, and consequently no altera* tion will be made. The few whom th® new arrangements suit take care to help themselves by expressing satisfaction with it; the country people do

not help themselves, and, therefor®, there is no one else to help them. It is, therefore, no use in following the matter further ; the country people must bear it, but it is their own fault, and serve them right, when there is not sufficient energy amongst them to make their grievances known. We hare done our best in the matter;, we have shown that the cost of running the railway has been enormously increased, and that the taxpayers of this colony must pay for it. It is not our fault if something has not been done, but single-handed we cannot do anything further than expose the disgusting mismanagement carried on, and if the people put up with it they have only themselves to blame.

FURTHER BORROWING. Me Eeegus assured his constituents that the Government had not che slightest intention of borrowing any more money at present. Bless us! How good of Mr Fergus to give this assurance, when we really aP knew the Government could not do it, because they are bound by Act of Parliament not borrow any more for three years. When Sir Robert Stout was in office he said he v'ould not borrow any more than £*> ooo,ooo in ten years. The intellh* electors of this colony turned out, put Sir Harry Atkinson lus place, and he borrowed right off in one year, and gjv® a guarantee to the lenders of money that he would not borrow any more for three years. Of all /fle money New Zealand has horded Sir Harry Atkinson has

borrowed exactly one half, and it appears to us it is time he ceased borrowing now. How good of Mr Fergus to become so virtuous all at once, when he knew he could not be otherwise! This, together with his Hare system, his boast about paying off £46,000 of the deficit, and his nonsense about having improved the price of grain, made up a nice hodgepodge of a speech for a M mister of the Crown to make. Really, it is doubtful whether there could be found in New Zealand another member who could give utterance to such semlities without a blush.