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Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 245, 8 February 1898, Page 2

For a good many years now Sir Robert Si out has held a prominent position in New Z aland politics, and if only tor that icasoti his resignation from public life ca'ls for notice, and affords matter for speculation as to what will be 'he effect of his retirement. Sir Robert started in political life as an advanced Rail ca', and has always entertained very far-rcic-hit g ideals as to what democracy, prop'rly guided, might accomplish t«r mankind. Litterly he has mainly devoted his eloquence and ub l'ty to checking the crude legislation introduce I int> Parliament ny Ministers supported by men wanting in the capacity to judere of the probable effect of the measures they advocated. To him the couutiy is largely indc ted that seveial ot the Rills which have passed into law are not so injurious as they would have been bad MinUters and their followers had their way. He has also done good srylco by exposing many cases of maladn inistralion, and ea'ling- attention to the rapid increase in depaitmental expenditure which has taken place under the Sedcton regime, an increase attril utablc mainly o the obligation Mr fiseddou end his Ministers have been under to find bil'ets, more oriless fat, for their supporters and tlnir friends. H's retirement fiom politics will remove from Parliament one of the most- able of ths mm who have ever catered its portals. He is a radical, but ha is a r.d ca! whose training and tducat'on prevent from forcing the lace, and whose sjnse of riidit makes him rebel uganst the "wholesale brit cry and corruption which appear to be cneof the concern:tnits of democracy as in evidence in this colony. The enormous increase in departmental expenditure during the past few y<ari is conclusive evidence that bribery is rampant. This system, to his honour be it said, Sir Robeit Stout has consistently opposed, and is well and sincerely hated by the ■ Seddon party in c.nscepience. It is impossible to pi edict wi h any certainty wl at will be the effect of "his res : gnat'on on par.ies. The very small party which he led is composed mi inly ot men who consider the liquor question the all-sufficient article o» political faith. These men will not find congenial compauy in either cf the camps, but are most likely to throw their pow\r into the scale wi b the Opposition, uhoat anyrote have not made the attempt to " run with the hare and hunt with the bemuds."