THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1911. A CONTINUOUS MINISTRY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10444, 9 October 1911, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1911. A CONTINUOUS MINISTRY.

In the discussion which is- taking place in various parts of the Dominion on the political situation, sufficient"*stress is not placed upon the fact that the Ministry which n< w controls the destinies of the Dominion, and dispenses political and oilier favours, has been in office for tweit.vone years. In this time it has naturally done a great deal of useful work. Had it not done so, it would long since have been jettisoned. But it has done more. It has, in the process of time, and by the consent of 'an obedient majority, arrogated to itse]' a power of a most autocratic character, and has removed from private members of the House every ounce of independence or responsibility they ever possessed. The whole paraphernalia of State is now controlled by the Prime Minister and a handful of his Ministerial colleagues. Hardly a measure is placed upon tiie Statute Book which does not confer powers upon the Governor-in-Council—meaning the Cabinet— to interpret the will of Parliament as they feel disposed. The Civil Service of the Dominion lias developed to huge proportions, and the responsible positions' are mostly filled by friends of Ministers and political partisans. The appointments to Commissions of the Peace have been made chiefly

from /airty considerations, with the resu it that the administration'of jus*ir *is not what it should be. The r .evenues of the State have been ejl ponded for the purpose of influencing > tho elections, and many of the measures introduced, instead of being based upon principles of economy, have, as the Hon. G. Fowlds recently suggested, been deliberately tframed with the object of placating the electors. Is this a condition of affairs which should "be allowed to continue in a country which boasts of British freedom and fair play ? Is it iin the interests of the community that a Party which has violated the principles of statesmanship 'and usurped the rights and privileges of the people, should continue longer in office? <3annot~the people realise, as they have realised in Canada, that unrestricted power placed in the hands of an individual or body of individuals is creative of abuse ? Can they not see in the desperate appeal of Sir Joseph Ward and the extravagant promises of his followers a deeplaid scheme to keep the electors in political .bondage? Where are the traditions of a justice-loving British people? Where is the independence of the electors ? Has not the Opposition,, hy its persistent,*exposure of' the political ,Tvrong T doiiigs of, th<yparty in. power,'., and. r'Tby its.'. strenuous/ efforts to prevent slip-shod legisla- | tiou ;going upon the Statute Book, • earned the gratitude and confidence of the people ? Does not its clear and • statesmanlike Liberal policy entitle it to the.consideration of the electors? What matter that designing placeseekers should dub the Reform Party "Tories" and "Conservatives," so long as the men attached to it are possessed, of honour, and integrity, and a genuine desire to see the. aff- ! air.< of the Country .'prudently and economically managed? What the country wants is" a change, so that .access* imight (be got ,to the pigeonholes, and <a stop (be put to the extravagances 'which have grown up I with ihe system of buying political support and patronage. It does not matter mucfL. who -assumes the reins of office, so long as the present:#u-y tocratic Tule is 'brought' to an end. If the Opposition, when returned to power, were to play fast and loose' with the people's privileges, it would speedily be relegated *o obscurity, ani an -opportunity would be given the Labour Party, or some other party, to rule. The worst that the Opposition «couhi do in three years would not result in the flagrant, disregard of public sentiment. that, at. j present obtains. Would it not he in i th* best interests; of; the : "Dominion, " tliei*eiore;:that the has'ifought gallantly for pure administration in, the -past,. should, he.given : i a turn at the wheel? If the electors •place the interests'of the Dominion i before those of parish, they will emI phatically declare in the affirmative a* the coming polls.