The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1889.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2658, 25 July 1889, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1889.

Equal and exact justice to all men, 01 whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

TriK unexampled and exemplary celerity with which the House set about the business of the country immediately on the opening of the session, has, after all, been a shortlived virtue. The public hailed with delight the expeditious manner in which members performed their legislative duties during the first two weeks subsequent to delivery of the Governor's Speech. It had the appearance of a good angury, and a short, practical session was confidently expected with some degree of certainty. It seemed as though the terrible propensity for loquacity hitherto possessed by honourable members would, this session, be restrained within com-mon-sense limits. But it has been a mere flash in the pan. The House has been now sitting more than a month, and beyond the early delivery of the Financial Statement, and the disposal of a portion of the estimates in Committee of Supply, no other real work of any legislative or economic value to the colony has clone. The wasteful stage was soon entered upon, and time and expense have been sacrificed as in the familiar scenes of former sessions. Faction lights abound, with provincial selfishness and greed grasping at the largest sh.tre of the public funds, and the government of the country is drifting on without any firm distinct principle of policy or statesmanship. It is a most unsatisfactory state of affairs. As we declare.! last year, nothing but a thorough reform in the entire administrative machinery, beginning with the Legislature itself, can effect that change in the existing order of things which is so desirable, and most people consider so necessary. The first step to be taken to bring this about must come from the people, who must rouse themselves to the facts of the situation and demand a change. And until we obtain a remodelling of our system of representation so that the full voting power of the people can be felt, j their demand would not carry the amount of force required for the purpose. We need another system that will lead to the election of more trusty, public-spirited representatives, inspired with broad national views. With the personnel of Parliament improved the country could make its demands with no uncertain sound, and its voice would constitute the policy of the executive in oflice, without danger from factions or local jealousies. Vigorous representative government seems impossible of attainment, under the present system. The Ministry is clearly responsible for the state into which the ITouse has again drifted. In spite of the dogged, bellicose character usually ascribed to the Premier, he, nevertheless, appears either unable or unwilling to control the House. Whether this is his fault, or is caused 'ny the extraordinary character of his Cabinet, as demonstrated by remarkable correspondence in various quarters, is an open question. It is, however, evident that Sir Harry Atkinson and his Ministry have no stability of character, such as a Ministry capable of grasping the intricacies and difficulties of our domestic concerns should possess Some of their strongest supporters have come to that conclusion, and we find Mr Withey throwing off his allegiance with disdain. He refers to the Ministry as one that is always trimming to majorities ; first to the Retrenchment majority, then to the Protection majority, and now to the Quota majority. They have no party of their own to keep them in oflice; consequently they ally themselves to any party that will do so. Yet, they are, doubtless, the best men to be pro-

cured out of tho personnel of the present Parliament who can lie entrusted with the cares of government. Certiinly there are none worthy amongst the many sm.all shoals who arc scrambling for the few remaining crumbs of the great Public Works scheme and borrowed money ; not amongst those who are wasting the time of the country by party tactics, who have put aside the imperfectly-begun task of economy in disregard of the people's will, an'dareopenlyseeking to reverse ihe wise course previously adopted. Mrßallanco, the chosen leader of the soi-dimnt Opposition had the temerity to appeal to the House on Tuesday night to dishonour itself by repealing the Act reducing the number of members to seventy-four. He openly asserted that the country had never asked for the reduction and does not wish it. Would such a man as that be safe to entrust with the administration of the colony's affairs? Not only does he exhibit a shameless indifference to one of the strongest expressions of public opinion, but he betrays the same reckless love for extravagance and corruption which distinguished his past career. It would be sheer madness to jump from the frying-pan into the fire by changing the Atkinsonian for a Ballance regime. The colony has just now splendid prospects before it, surrounded by exceptional opportunities, of which advantage should be taken. But all these would be of no avail without great prudence and care in the Government of the country ; without a broad, pure and honourable nationalism in our politics. None of these hopes can be realised so long as the present House exists. We can expect no realisation of them. We not see the day that will usher in a better order of things until we have a dissolution, when, having selected the best and most high-minded men to represent us, we can commit the careof the State to a wiser though ltss numerous Parliament. We honestly believe a dissolution would be the best remedy at this moment; therefore, let us have a dissolution.