CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2532, 2 October 1888, Page 2

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM.

TO THK KDITOIt. Sir,— Notwithstanding the professions and promises of M.H. R.'s, the expressions of public opinion, and the able articles and letters by writers in the patriotic Press of the colony, notably yourself, the recent session of the Assembly has been unsatisfactory, and especially disappointing to the many who, with more of faith than foresight, imagined that the system and several of tlie men who got us into the mess were the most likely to get us out of it. This might accord with the justice of retribution, but is contrary to the lessons of prudence gained by experience. Another cause of failure was the want of a concise and definite platform of reform and the absence of systematic organisation. Members should now be asked without delay to give an account of the doings of Parliament and of themselves, and give their proposals and pledges for the next session ; for it is useless to wait till immediately preceding the next session to listen to the usual pre-sessiona! promises and platitudes, to be followed by a session in which, in view of the general election, prating and posturing would be the chief occupation, while the delay and sins of omission and commission will vastly increase the difficulty of successfully treating our affairs. I think that it would be well to have a Constitutional Reform Association, a small subscription (so as to be open to all), say Is to ss, to bo the payment by its members. The patriotic Press would, I feel sure, aid by printing, advertising, &c., on the most reasonable terms. While the members of the association, by public addresses, by press letters, and still more by private opportunities and influences, would each according to his ability aid the common cause—to secure good simple and economical government, general and local, for New Zealand—which shall be under the direct and effective control of the people, who are to gain or suffer by its action. Hitherto we have not been governed by ourselves ; we have simply been manipulated by sets of men who seemed to have no sympathy with the people. They have made it almost impossible to govern New Zealand by honest means, but now the tax-gatherer will not supply the power of purchase so easily as the money-lenders did. I recognise thedifficulties of our representatives in this want of selection. Ministers have but too often alfordod an alternative of evil rather than a choice of good, and suggestive of certain old sayings about " bearing the ills we have," tfce., and an analogy to the adage about the fryingpan and the lire. It was too frequently Hobson's choice, so we should not judge our members too severely; and certainly the present Government, whatever its faults and failings may bo or have been, is not nearly so objectionable as its predecessor or even the one with Mr Seddoii, of Hokitika, as its Premier would have been. We do not want to be fixed to a choice between " tweedledum and tweedledee between scheming and adventurers, and those who think they have an official right to govern, and even of statesmen honoured, and elevated by the illustrious distinction ot " the Order of Michael and'.George." Wsi. Anew. Murray, Mount Pleasant, 24th September, ISSB,