The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1890. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2141, 23 December 1890, Page 2

The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1890. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

The proposed appointments to the Legislative Council has met with universal disapproval. Every newspaper in the colony has condemned the proposal, and so far as we can see now it is likely to be abandoned for the time being at least. This is satisfactory. It was a monstrous thing for a defeated Government to try to pack the Legislative Council with their own friends, so as to prevent the incoming party from making any new appointments. It was just like their conduct in appointing Judge Edwards, so as to prevent their successors from appointing Judge Ward. Nothing could exceed such unscrupulous conduct as that. On the other hand we are told that if the Liberals get into power the Labor party will insist on Mr J. A. Millar being appointed to the Legislative Council. We certainly think the Labor party ought to have representation in the Legislative Council, but in our opinion it would be a great mistake to go to such an extreme length as to appoint Mr Millar. We have no personal objection to Mr Millar; he is a clever man, and certainly representative of the Labor party. There is, however, no man more hated by the anti-Labor party, and his appointment to the Legislative Council would be too violent and too hostile a step. To appoint him would widen the already wide breach, and awaken animosities which neither party would desire. The Labor party is strong, but not strong enough to be defiant, and it would be a terrible mistake on their part to assume too hostile an attitude. They have yet to combat prejudices, as well as the power of wealth, and they must not arouse too violent an antagonism against themselves. Bye-and-bye, when they grow stronger, they may be able to do with impuhity what they cannot do now, but in tke meantime great discretion on their part is an absolute necessity. The strike threw them back years, and if they make a false step now they will injure nobody more than themselves and the cause which they have at heart. They compose the largest portion ot the Liberal party, and consequently ought to exercise some influence as regards appointments to the Legislative Council, But they must not begin by going to extremes ; they must take a more moderate course, and try to avoid provoking their opponents into open hostility.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION. - he position which the Government occupies at present is ridiculous. The general elections have placed them in a minority. There can be no doubt of that. l*he country returned 42 members pledged to vote against the present Government, besides five others who are doubtful. That ought to be enough. They have been told they are not wanted, and yet, like “ the wretch condemned with life to part, to slightest hope they cling.” They hope that delay will enable them to buy over a sufficient number of the rail-sitters to enable them to weather through and retain office. They may do so, but if they do the electors of this colony will have thus received a very good object lesson. They will be shown the foolishness of electing Independent members. That is exactly what the electors want to realise, and perhaps this matter m?y teach them. The curse of politics is lack of party discipline, it is the cause of the greater part of the confusion which takes place in Parliament, and also of most of the corruption and misgovernment. It is impossible that the result could be otherwise. now, apparently, are the Government -

hanging on to see could they buy over the Independent members. Are they going to buy these out of their own private purses ? Not at all. They will buy them with the taxpayers’ money. Now, who is to blame? Undoubtedly the electors of this colony, who are so blind as not to be able to see that the worst man to elect is an Independent member. The electors are to blame for all the misgovernment of the country, and it is no use to expect anything better until men who will adhere to principles and go on straight lines are sent to Parliament.