The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1890. MR FISHER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2019, 13 March 1890, Page 2

The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1890. MR FISHER.

Mb G-eobge Fisheb has warned the people of New Zealand against Sir Harry Atkinson. He says that Sir Harry Atkinson purposely and deliberately makes Liberal speeches in order to delude the public, but that he has no intention whatsoever of fulfilling his promises. He is bound heart and boul to the Conservative party, and must obey their behests. Mr Fisher, it will be temembered was one of Sir Harry Atkinson's Ministers until he was expelled for discreditable conduct, and he ought to know the motives which prompt actions behind the scenes. He certainly had opportunities of gauging Sir Harry's disposition, and we believe he is not far wrong, but in this respect Mr i Fisher is certainly as great a sinner, if not a greater one, than the Fremier. Mr Fisher was elected to Parliament to oppose Sir Harry Atkinson, but instead of doing so he became one of his Ministers, He was returned as a Badical by the working men of Wellington, but his first step was to al'v himself with the party he now regar is as Conservative. That party headed honors and the emoluments of c fice upon him, and he accepted then all, and did the dirty work requir ;d of him until his conduct becane so objectionable that he was " drummed out," a dishonored man. For Mr -bisher to speak of Sir Harry Atkinson's tergiversation is, therefore, like Satan reproving sin, but, nevertheless we believe he spoke the truth' SSh^f-i. 85 *! H - arry Atkl «« put' tortn .Liberal view merely for th* purpose of gulling the public. At any rate Sir Harry has invariably given expression to most Liberal ideas ; but in no instance has he carried any of them into practice, and this fact ! gives a strong coloring of truth to Mr ! -bisher's assertions. I Mr Fisher also now deplores the « fact that he voted for the reduction of ' members. Mr Fisher was in the ' Ministry when this measure was con- ' ceived, introduced, and passed into law, | he had no doubt a hand in it from its' . very inception, and ror him to come J before the public now and denounce ' what may be regarded as partly his £ own work is ridiculous in the extreme. ] It stamps him as being either dishonest ! or i ncapable. Knowing fully that this r measure would be detrimental to the ' t

wellbeing of the colony, he voted for it, and as a Minister did his best to promote its passage in Parliament. He was dishonest in doing so. Nothing has occurred since to cause Mr Fisher to alter his opinion on the subject, the conditions have not changed in the slightest degree, and if he believes now that the reduction is bad for the colony he must have believed so then. Yet, believing so, he assisted in every way "he possibly could to pass a measure which is calculated to throw representation into the hands of a few.

We have not much respect for anything Mr Fisher says, but at the same time we believe that in this respect he only utters the feelings of a large majority of the members. The number of members was reduced when the retrenchment mania was at its height, and now, in coaler moments, its disastrous effects are seen. We only hope that others, like Mr Fisher, will have the courage of their opinions, and repeal the Act by which the harm has been done. It is scarcely possible to do it now, but, perhaps, when the map of the new constituencies is laid before members, and they see that it will result in the political extinction of a great many of them, it may have the effect of bringing them to their senses. If by any chance this could be effected the position of the democracy would have been greatly improved by the legislation of the past session. The " one man one vote " ought to make a great difference; it certainly takes away a great deal of the power of the wealthy classes, and extends that of the democracy. If, therefore, the constituencies remained as they were the Liberals would undoubtedly win in the next election, but with the reduction of members it is doubtful what the result will be. We therefore hope that many will, like Mr Fisher, repent of their folly, and assist to repeal the measure by which the number of members has been reduced.