The Wairarapa Daily SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 1891.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3899, 29 August 1891, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 1891.

SVhen an old colonist like Mr Bryce, J a man without fear and without re- ( proaoh, who wears the white flower of a blameless life, has to consider whether he can, consistently with , self-respect, remain a member of the ; House of Representatives, it is certain < that the House has degenerated 1 Of i the high character of Mr Bryce there is no doubt, but the high character of tbe House has departed with Major Atkinson and Sir Maurice O'Rorke. ! Even Major Atkinson and Maurice O'Rorke were not the greatest men who have been associated with it, but they were larger men than their successors, and the scene where tht hero of New Zealand was outraged would have been as impossible in their days as it has been possible at the present time. Mr Ballance, with his big majority, has a giant's strength, but he does not use it like a giant. He has struck a cowardly blow at the leader of the Opposition, and has hit him under the belt. In moral grandeur Mr "Bryce towers abov9 Mr Ballance, and all the votes whipped up by the Opposition wijl not alter the opinion of the public when the true facts of the dispute are made patent. Mr. Ballance has a following which will vote at big bidding, and he can crush any member of the House by resolution, but the abuse ot such a power will be attended with grave results. The Opposition party in the Assembly is justified in taking up tbe cause of their leader and indulging in reprisals which might make the position of the Government exceedingly uncomfort ible. If it be no longer possible for a settler of Mr Bryce's standing to remain a member of the House, it is % question how far such a House is Stted to legislate for the people of the Colony. When in a Legislative Assembly a Government party strikes \ foul blow the rules which regulate political warfare are nrtually suspended and the House aecomes demoralised. The unwritten jode which has hitherto maintained ;he fair reputation of our House of Representatives appears to be thrust >n one side. Mr Ballance in his hour jf triumph has allowed a deed to be lone which willsully his political regulation for all time, and the Premier with-bis satellites have clothed themlelves with shame as with a garment, ilr Bryce will act rightly it he holds limself aloef from Parliament and or the remainder of the session we ifould hope to see Mr Scobie McKenzie head his party.