SYDNEY JOTTINGS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4374, 21 March 1893, Page 3

SYDNEY JOTTINGS.

[I)Y A MASTERIOSIAN.]

Things political in N.S.W, aro just now in a curiously mixed condition. For weeks, nay months, the transactions of public business, even of the gravest moment, has been absolutely blocked by tho ( incessant struggle for tlio emoluments of office, between tlio" ins" and the" outs," and by tho ventilating of private grievances and tlio venting of private animosities. Though they have an unworkable majority of three—a majority that at any moment may, by tho defection of one or two menii bers of their curious heterogeneous following, be turned into an absolute minority—tho Government, despite no-confidonco motions and internal disruption, cling to the Treasury Benches with a pertinacity unequalled ill the history of tho Australasian colonies. Even the loudly-voiced indignation of the people, and their utter wint of confidence in tlio good faith and abilities of those to whom is now entrusted tho control of the affairs of the colony, is unheeded bySir George Deficit Dibbi and his colleagues. The sea of tho nation's discontent, dashes vainly against the impenetrable barrior of the Ministry's obstinacy ; and, like tho old man of the sea, this coterie of self-satisfiod politicians takes a firmer grasp on tho administrative power of the colony.

If anything were wanting to complete the measure of the Ministry's shortcomings the events of the present week should supply it. At a time when matters of great national importance were before the Legislature of tho country, the membera of tho Ministry considered it notinconsistent with their positions that they should one and all be gallivanting around remote country districts endeavouring to stem by their personal presence, and tho force of their eloquence, the tide of public opinion which has set

so strongly against them. There is something positively satirical in this latest interpretation of tho aims and objeots of constitutional government, Of a truth it would seem that Messrs Dibbs, Barton & Go,, hold the crying needs of the country, but as small beer indeed, compnred with tho desirableness of the emoluments of office still guiding their way into the pockets of this band of self-sacrificing patriots I

Still another prize fight lias terminated fatally for one of the com* batants, and in consequence another batch of prize-iing officials liavo been arrested on a charge of manslaughter, The increasing frequency of deaths from injuries received in these contests suggests the expediency of having them put a stop to altogether. Certain members of the Government, including tbo Attorney-General are of opinion that it will be quite possible to effectually copo with the matter without resort to legislation, as the police have power to prevent exhibitions of this character. Besides, the licenses' granted to places of entertainment whore glove contests are held could bo cancelled, and this stop alone would do much to kill tho game, .Of course thero will be tho usual cry against making illegal, exhibitions in tho" manly art of self-defence," but to this the answer can be made, that in Sydney all that was manly and fair about glove lighting has given placo to brutal trickery and ''push" rule. Thcro aio pugilists in Sydney—nativo born of course—whom it would be impossible to defeat. As was evidenced by the riot in'thoParlingburst rink tho other night, tho" Roclis" and "Gippn street pushos," would broak up thering of the furniture in tho hall, sooner than see their champion vanquished. If tlnß be tho" manly art" the sooner it is dis-countenanced tho better,

If the old saying that "Charity should begin at home" be a commendable one, then it needs to be driven home to the hearts of the dwellers in the cities and towns of soutliorn N.S.W. Thomothercolony responded magnificiently to the call in a3sistanco for Queensland in the time of her dire distress and in a remarkably short space of timo a Bum of £34,000 was despatched to tho assistance of their flooded-out neighbours, The magnitude of the calamity which befell Queensland seems to jiaye completely pversbadoiyed the scarcely less disastrous floods which have devastated the Northern River districts of N.S.W. There tho immenßO tracte of land, which Jiavo bpeii fertilised to an inordinate degrcp by t|io frequently recurring overflowing of the river, were a week or two ago resplendent in tho glory of exceptionally heavy crops of sflgar-eane, wheat arid corn and'pthpr cereal, and vegetable products, Every thing promised a season of raro prosperity, when presently, with tho suddenness of tropical storms, the rain descended in torrents, and tho placid rivers were rapidly transformed into swirling lakes, 'which, as far ne the eye could reach, covered tho land on every side, Every growing thing was destroyed) and the farmers, who a few days before were rejoicing in anticipation of excellent yields, saw ruin star-; ing them in tbo face. Our northern river settlements are in urgent need of assistance, but so far no holping hand has been extended to thorn, no enthu&iastii)' meetings have poured coininto their depleted coffers. Bnrely, if charity's first duty is at home, thero will yet be a helping hand held out to our unfortunate brethren on. tho northern rivoro,'