The Temuka Leader. THURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1891. PARLIAMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2153, 22 January 1891, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. THURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1891. PARLIAMENT.

Pabmameht opens to-morrow. It is an extraordinary session, and ought not to hare been held ; and the necessity for holding it would have been obviated had the Atkinson Ministry behaved as they ought. When the measures embodying the reduction of members and the " one man one rote" principle were agreed to Mr Ballanee, as leader of the Opposition, directed attention to the fact that a change had been effected in the constitution of Parliament, and that consequently it should be dissolved. Dissolutions always follow constitutional changes, and the Atkinson Ministry gave some sort of an indefinite promise that they would dissolve Parliament in April last, that a general election would then take place, and that the new Parliament would meet, as usual, in Jane. Of course, the Atkinsonians could not keep a promise, and the election did not take place. The result was that last session was wasted in squabbling, and that a general election has necessitated the holding of a second session after all. This is how we pay for it. Had the present Government been less selfish, and dissolved Parliament when they ought to have done, instead of sticking to office, the country would have been saved the expense of the present session. There was another way in which they might have obviated the necessity for holding the present session, too. When they found themselves beaten after the late elections they could have resigned, and handed ove? the reins of government to Mr Ballance. Had they done this an opportunity would have been afforded Mr Ballance to formulate a policy, and meet the House fully prepared in April next. J hat would have been a j fair, honest, and honorable way to have behaved; but what have they done ? They have kept office all the time since, and have been putting forward extraordinary efforts to buy over some of the members so as to secure a majority. Their shamelessness is something astounding, and has been bhe subject of ridicule in most of the papers of the colony, with the exception i

of Buch as the Christchureh Pi ess. For instance, New Plymouth returned a gentleman who has fads about iron aand, coal, and other mineral products in that district. The Minister of Lands has gone up to see him, and has promised everything, together with hinting that a house will be built at the Government's expense half-way up Mount Egmont for the convenience of tourists. Sir Harry Atkinson has represented that district for ever 20 years, but nothing of the kind has hitherto been dreamt of, and would not now only that the vote of the member for the district is wanted to keep the party in office. It is, therefore, hard to say what the effect of the eoming struggle will be. How many members Ministers have bought over nobody knows, but doubtless we shall soon be able to see. At any rate, it is quite plain from what has taken place that Mr Ballance will have terrible difficulties to encounter, First of all, he will have as opponents a party who appear to be insensible to all ideas of honor, justice, and fairplay, A more unscrupulous set of men it would be hard to find. If he succeeds in forming a Ministry we cannot see how it is possible for him to carry on in the face of the obstacles by which he will be met. He will be able to surround himself with a very able Cabinet, but every one of them will be new to office, and it takes the best of men some time to master details and get into the run of the ropes. Still he will be called upon to bring forward a programme at once and lead the House. It is unfair, unreasonable, and dishonest to ask him to do it, and yet we feel sure this is exactly how he will be treated. There are amongst the Independent members several who are not in perfect harmony with Mr Ballance, and a beautiful opportunity will be afforded them to desert him. They can, first of all, vote against the present Ministry and turn them out, and then they can harrass Mr Ballance and turn him out again, and then support the Atkinsonians, In tbis way they can tell their constituents "We gave Mr Ballance an opportunity, but he failed, and so we had to support the Atkin3onians." In this way they can wriggle out of their electioneering pledges. If all who opposed the Government were staunch supporters of Mr Ballance all would be well, but they are not, and consequently th© position is rendered difficult. However, we shall soon see how these will act, and perhaps their conduct may in future elections have the effect of causing electors to pause before returning men who have not sufficient force of character to choose beforehand the party which they intend to support.