The Wairarapa Daily FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1891.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3904, 4 September 1891, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1891.

One of the most remarkable commentaries on the recent " Bryce martyrdom" appears in the Lyttelton Times. That journal is the leading Government organ of the Colony and is owned and influenced by a Minister. Referring to this particular scandal it distinctly censures the conduct of the Speaker in the following terms i"-'* The Speaker should reflect that he has been sustained, at great cost, in the ruling which his weakness made necessary. The House felt itself obliged to make the maintenance of Parliamentary order the first consideration. It has by its action saved Mr Speaker from himself. There has been in the conduct of the business throughout a little tco much latitude. The Speaker's good nature has, in fact, relaxed the strict letter of the Standing Orders on too many occasions. The inevitable advantage has been taken. We have seen, as a consequence, members referring to previous debates unchecked ; we have seen members marching up to the chair with open book and finger outstretched pointing to former rulings ; we have had a ruling reversed in the midst of serious excitement when angry passiotis threatened to make havoc of order ; we have heard a point of order explained immediately after the same point of order had been explained, when a rebuke, noc an explanation, would have been the proper line." Apparently the Government party admit at last what they positively knew from the first that the man of their choice is a weak Speaker. Now who is responsible for the deplorable weakness which has been exhibited ? Net Mr Jukes Steward, because that amiable gentleman is clearly doing his best, and whatever may be said againat bim, he at least " means well." He, Mr Steward, is not to be blamed, but the Government is to be censured that insisted upon making a man a Speaker -who evidently was not smart enough for the position. Did the Government " mean well'" when it sacrificed to party interests the reputation of the House ? Let us hope so, but at least _it is responsible for its demoralisation. The right policy now for the Opposition would be to refuse to elect a new leader to replace the one " made away with," but to simply allow the members of the party to act as freelances. Nothing would be more embarrassing to the Premier than this, because much of bis legislative success this session is due to theadmirable discipline of the Opposition party, and the assistance given to him by its late leader, Mr Bryce. The aovernment is not amenable to civilised political warfare, and it is a mistake for the Opposition members to treat it as a fair opponent. If members of the Opposition would disband as a party till the wrong of which they justly complain be righted, the result would, we fancy, be in the best interests of the colony.