The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. TUESDAY, MAY 22, 1888.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2475, 22 May 1888, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

TUESDAY, MAY 22, 1888.

Equal and cxact justicc to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

A stiort time prior to the opening of the present session of Parliament, in the course of some observations on the unsatisfactory condition of parties, we deplored the utter absence of an organised Opposition in the present state of public affairs. There is no strong combination outside the Ministerial ranks. This is a very unfortunate position, and one that gives overy indication of producing evil consequences. Unrestrained by the always to be desired and wholesome check which a strong opposition inspires, Sir ITarry Atkinson displays his masterful nature and his intention of carrying everything before him according to his will. The Ministry ie all powerful in the House, and seem inclined to domineer over it. The unprecedented adoption of the Address-in-Reply without any debate whatever, gave an early proof of the disordered condition of the Assembly. We have now in the quick passage of the Loan Bill a still graver instance of it. The opposition offered on this occasion by Mr Scobie McKenzie, and some half-a-dozen other members, was the feeblest exhibition of resistance to a measure of very great importance that could possibly have been conceived. It was as impotent as would be an attempt to turn aside the Waikato river with a broom. Yet, in the Loan Bill, which was passed through all its stages, was involved a principle affecting the whole cconomy of the colony upon which the country has expressed its will in as emphatic a manner as any free people could do constitutionally. A complete change from the long career of extravagant expenditure, a large proportion of which was unreproductivc, and above all a cessation of all borrowing have been clearly demanded. The country was not only thoroughly sincere in this demand, but fully expected the Legislature to respect it by a prudent reversal of policy. The Loan Bill, however, will increase our oppressive indebtedness by an additional two and a lia'f millions, with a further annual charge on our revenue of ,£'Bo,ooo for interest. It is true that no object could be gained by actually defeating the Bill, ev en if that had been possible, because the greater part of the loan has already been anticipated by the Colonial Treasurer who raised the money through a special arrangement with the Colonial Bank, and it was pleaded by the Government to be a matter of urgency to place the loan as soon as possible on the London market to save the country's finances from disaster. A powerful Ministry, without a strong party or a determined antagonist to bar their way, can set the country's will aside, when there is nothing to imperil their seats.

When the present Parliament was elected, under such special circumstances it was anticipated that the large amount of new blood infused into it, and the evident awakening that politicians of all shades shewed to the gravity of the colony's position, would break through the barriers of political jealousies, and secure more attention to measures so much required to remedy the evils of the past and secure a uniform recovery to the colony as a whole. A truly national spirit was looked for in the new House. During its first session there was a very virtuous exhibition of anxiety on all sides for the good of the commonwealth, north and south, and sink every vestige of petty localisms.. But what do we see in the session now scarce Begun 1 There is a return to the same old leaven of extravag nee; more money is to be borrowed; useless and unprofitable railways are to be continued; and Northern and Southern members are scrambling for local expenditure and directing their energies to inflict upon the colony the construction of pet lines in their particular districts, which are plainly designated by non-interested and impartial observers as swindles. Thus are the troubles and misfortunes of this magnificent colony perpetuated by a throng of politicians who unblushingly betray the confidence reposed in them by the people. The policy of retrenchment is vitiated by a deliberate course of further extravagance, bringing in its train an increase drain on our resources, more taxation, whilst our population and capital are diverted from our shores. Unhappy New Zealand !