MAROPIU.

Wairoa Bell, Volume IV, Issue 154, 15 July 1892, Page 2

MAROPIU.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.! Parliament has assembled. The chosen of the people have once again taken themselves to the Big Wooden House, to make new laws, to mend old laws, and to separately and collectively air their own, and their constituents’ grievances. No doubt one and all of our worthy legislators are inspired with the best of intentions, and are determined; to do the best they can for their own poc —I meanconstituents, and the country generally. Already I notice the usual farce has commenced. The Leader of tha Opposition has made the stereotyped statement that it was his, and his party’s intention to assist the Government in any practicable way to get on with the business of the country. As far

back as I can remember, Leaders of the Opposition have invariably made use of the same expression, and have immediately shown their good intentions by baulking in any , conceivable way the business in band. For j my own part Ido not anticipate a very ex- ) citing session. We shall have no doubt the inimitable E. M. Smith bringing before the House the capabilites of his districc, and supporting his statements by producing from under the seat a pumpkin or a carrot. The New Zealand G. O. M. will I trow calk of the unborn millions, and the benefits of the one man one vote system. The heavy-weight of the Government (the Minister of Lands) will ax-gue with his predecessor iu office, as to whose land policy was the fittest. The Minister oi Education and the redoubtable “ Scobie ” will try to excel each other in witty sayings and taunting shafts, and mean - while a number of members will be clamouring to proceed to business, and the long suffering taxpayer will look on and groan. I notice that the three Northern members have formed a junto to look after the interests of the long neglected North. History readers will no doubt remember that in 1693 four English statesmen formed a junto. Individually they rose to the highest eminence, and collectively they swayed the country for years. It remains to be seen whether this Northern junto will rise to the same eminence. Our own member slipped away without visiting his constituents in this part of the electorate. If my memory does not fail me, the following incident took place not many years ago. At a banquet given in his honour at Mongonui, H. W. Houston Esq. M. H. R. stated (strange Mr. Editor what comes out at a banquet) that though in a certain place in the Hobson County, he had not received a single vote, he would pledge himself to deal with that place in a like manner to his own little pet district. How has he kept his pledge ? After all, Ido not see that we can complain of what our member has done. > ’Tis rather »f what he has not done. With the exception of voting for a rise in his screw, and showing the superiarity of the Puriri fer railway sleepers, and of obtaining a few votes of money for Mongonui, I do not remember he has done anything else worthy of note ; a fine record truly. But we will remember these things and though, as the Hon. W. P. Reeves said, the dissolution {take place in a few weeks, a few months or a year, we will not forget our treatment, and should Mr. Houston seek re-election ivo will know what bis promises are worth. It is generally presumed that the " Women Franchise Bill ” will pass both Houses this session. Though I have no desire to be associated with the hot headed Fish of Dunedin, nor yet dubbed a “ crusty bachelor” I must enter my protest against this measure, and . with all due deference to the fair sex, state'' my belief that the home and not the election booth, the nursery and not the hustings, is woman’s proper sphere. It would be useless here to argue the matter as space would not permit 1 I will therefore close my protest by quoting an extract from “ Truth ” tte Editor of which is a Liberal of the Liberals. Mr. Labouchere thus concludes an able article.) “ Women are, in truth, incomprehensible creatures, and capable of anything ; by turns angels and demons. And there are men who would allow them to vote ! I would sooner give childern razors and revolvers to play with.” Thedxxty devolves upon me to chronicle the departure from this district, of our local shoemaker Mr. P. Connelly. Mr Connolly has dwelt amongst us practising his trade for upwards of four years, and in that time earned the good opinion of all whom he came in contact with. We trust that where ever his lot is cast in future he may be as successful as he has been at Maropiu, There should be a good opening now for a shoemaker in this vicinity, as there are none nearer than Dargaville.