The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, MAY 20, 1899.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 437, 20 May 1899, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, MAY 20, 1899.

The contrast between the speeches of Mr Seddon and Captain Russell, at Cambridge, is so striking that those who listened to both can hardly have refrained from drawing it. The former was the speech of a demagogue, careless as to language and still more careless as to facts. The latter was a calm review of the situation and an earnest condemnation of that which savours of corruption in political life.

As the Leader of the Opposition Captain Russell, of course, alluded to the taunts of the Premier and his followers, that they have not put forth a policy, which, of course, is an unheard of thing on the part of any Oppositiou. The only indication of a policy ever proffered by Opposition leaders is by criticism of the doings and policy of Ministers: Mr Seddon knows this as well as we do ; but he does not hesitate to speak as if this were not the case ; he has been equally unscrupulous in stating that if the Opposition came into power they would repeal all the legislation of the past few years. When Mr Seddon stated this he knew that lig had no authority whatever, not even his own belief for his assertion.

Captain Russell put this matter straight by a flat contradiction, and it is reasonable to think that his word will be taken—during the whole of his political career he has never been charged with untruthfulness. This fact suggests another contrast. The Leader of the Opposition pointed out that many of the measures upon which Mr Seddon prides himself were introduced by the Atkinson Government, and gave the titles of several of these measures. Let it be noted also that Captain Russell denied that he was in favour of the repeul of the Land and Income Tax and the reinstatement of the Property Tax ; he pointed out, however, that the Land and Income Tax last year only yielded £SOOO nioi-e than the Property Tax had done in 1891. In alluding to the doings of last session, Capt. Russell said they had stonewalled certain Government measures. He claimed, and every unbiassed man will agree with him, that as that was the only means to their hand to get information as to how the people's money was to bo spent before voting it, they were fully justified. Under the head of contingencies the House was asked to vote £144,000, but details weao not given ; the same applied to the Public Works Fund. With regard to Old Age Pensions, Capt. Russell recognised that there could be no turning back as regards the present recipients. The Opposition was not inimical to the Bill, but were of opinion that it should be based on contributions by the recipients during their years of strength and ability to work. The speaker pointed out that when the Bill was before Parliament the Ministerial supporters devoted little attention to it, but trooped in when the division bell rang and voted as tbe Premier directed. Capt. Russell's remarks in reference to the Legislative Council should be carefully considered by all, if they do this there should be little doubt but that they will arrive at the conclusion that the mode of appointment should be altered. The Council was constituted in order that tho country might havo the advantage of tho experience and kuowledgo of those who had proved themselves able and upright men. The Premier has introduced the system of making the appointments rewards fur services rendered to the Ministry. As to railway matters, the Leader" of the Opposition complimented Mr Cadman upon his administration, and regretted his failing health. He, however, attributed his resignation to tbe fact that the Premier interfered and insisted upon the railways being worked in the interest of party rather than upon sound commercial principles. He repeated the palpable fact that the railways had been starved in order to increase the apparent surplus. Formerly the permanent way and plant had been maintained out of revenue. Ministers bad borrowed for the purpose. As to their land policy, Captain Russell pointed out that it had been less successful than that of any Government for the past 16 years, and wo commend his remarks to the careful consideration of the electors ; more particularly his reply to the charge that if the Opposition got into power their policy would be one of reaction. Ho believes that every man should havo tho right to acquire the freehold of the land ho occupied, but, that thosG who had not the capital necessary should hold tinder the present or some analogous principle. He gave the Hon. Mr McKenzie every credit for endeavouring to put the people on the land, but results proved that he had gone the wrong way to work.

Captain Russell took the opportunity of speaking in glowing terms

of tlio ability and assiduity which Mr ! Hemes had displayed in the performance of his parliamentary duties and complimented him upon the grasp of public a flairs which he exhibited. Such credentials coming from a political veteran who has sat with many generations of members should go far towards securing the support of the Bay of Plenty electors, no matter how many candidates may dispute tho seat with him. It is a great matter for the constituencies and the country that their members should devote their time, ability, and energies to solving the political problems of the hour in place of, as is the case with too many, performing their duties in a prefunctory manner. To us it is wonderful that the Seddon party should havo held power so long. Their misdeeds have been exposed and innumerable charges against them of maladministration gone nnrefuted, so that one is almost inclined to the belief that a large section of tho people aro indifferent as to such misdeeds so long as those who commit them tack to their names the good old title of Liberal. It appears to us that what Lord Lytton wrote of the state of France during the reign of the third Napoleon is applicable to this country at the present time. He wrote : " There are in the Imperial system two causes of decay and of rot silently at work. Tbey may not be tho faults of the Emperor, but they are such misfortunes as may cause tho fall of the Empire. The first is an absolute divorce between the political system and the intellectual culture of the nation. The throne and tho system rest on universal suffrage—on a suffrage which gives to classes the most ignorant a power that preponderates over all the healthful elements of knowledge. It is the tendency of all ignorant multitudes to personify themselves, as it were, in ono individual. They cannot comprehend you when you argue for a principle ; they do comprehend you when you talk of a name."