The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, SEPT. 14, 1880.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2680, 14 September 1889, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, SEPT. 14, 1880.

Tiik Opposition lias furnished us with a fresh surprise;. A caucus of those members who form what is called the Opposition was held on "Wednesday, and the meeting passed a motion expressive of entire confidence and satisfaction in Mr J'alknee as a leader of the party. We do not find fault with them for that; Mr Ballance, no doubt, is ijnite good enough for them. .But they also decided that he should give notice to move that the Jtlou.se be dissolved during the recess and the new Parliament, be called together as early as possible after the elections, or some time in April next. Mr Bailsmen accordingly announced his intention to move in the direction given, hut no reasons were assigned why a dissolution is necessary or why it .should be obtained in so unusual a manner. The action taken by the Opposition is not regarded as seriously meant. It is considered more in the light of a political dodge to harass the Government, and to win credit to the Opposition from the country for a disinterested desire to secure, at the earliest possible moment, a .House composed of the reduced number of members. According to constitutional usage a

dissolution is possible during the .statutory currency of Parliament when a political crisis arises, which either renders legislation impracticable in consequence of tho even bulanco of powor, disorganisation of the two leading parties, or tho determination of a Ministry, unable 1o carry ont vital policy measures, to appeal to tho arbitrament of the country. There -were times during tho present session when all these conditions approached the extremely critical stage at which a dissolution was possible. That stage, however, was carefully avoided, and the House suffered to pursue its caroer unchecked. AVitliout a direct indication, brought about by a conflict ot partios in tho House, that a dissolution is the only course loft to secure tho good of the country, it is a debateablo point how it could be procured on tho inero resolution that a dissolution is desirable. A resolution of such a nature would be equivalent to a want of confidence in the Government. It would also be a reflection 011 the House itself, or rather, a confirmation by itself of the opinion entertained by the country of its incapacity and uselessness. We will not, however, enter upon the discussion of the various aspects of the motion of the Opposition that suggest themselves. With the principle of the motion we thoroughly agree. We have before expressed the opinion that 11 dissolution of the present Parliament is absolutely the safest step that could be taken to secure immunity from the great evils which the reckless policy of the last eighteen years have implanted in our economic systeiv. That system requires revolutionary treatment. The most aggravated spot is Parliament, itself, ' which has been exhibiting its incapacity for legislation more and more during the past few years,and its unfitness to cope with the necessities of the colony at a trying period. Had Parliament proved itself equal to the exigencies of tho times, it would have retained still some portion of the people's confidence, which, we fear, it has entirely forfeited. At the time, however, when one would expect to find a genius for true statesmanship, and a desire for the country's good spring up in the Legislature and rulers of the people, there is, 011 the contrary, a pitiful spectacle of demoralisation that renders the confusion of affairs worse confounded. Wc have not had a single statesmanlike measure suited to the circumstances of the colony. Exception may be taken to the action of the House in placing the Trust Funds nominally beyond the direct reach of tho Government; but, what a commentary that was on the character of the Government! So untrustworthy are they. The whole body politic is longing for reform of a thoroughly revolutionary type, that will bring the system in sympathy and harmony with the popular demauds for economy and the most simple method of honest administration. Year after year Parliament has met, but it has done positively nothing to create a beneficial change in our circumstances. There lias been nothing done to relieve taxation, which, indeed, has been made heavier ; the unsettled state of the public mind has not been calmed, for people continue to desert the colony, and local bodies are looking at the future with blank despair, with roads and bridges going to ruin. It is true that the Government brought forward certain measures to deal with many pressing requirements, but. owing t,o the disorg.uiised and demoralised state of the House and their own inherent want of strength, they were abandoned. The House has shirked serious work and the deliberation of reformatory legislation ; it has occupied its time in vain and selfish contests, or fighting for the preservation of the honorarium from sacrilegious violation. The reason of this may be due to recklessness filling the minds of many in the Chamber, who recognise the uncertainty of their seats under the Representation Act of 1887. Hence, the conviction in our own mind that greater mischief would ensue by prolonging the present Parliament for another year. We may rest assured that similar scenes will take place at another sitting of the House to those enacted in the present and former sessions, and perhaps, be more unacceptable to the country. A last and more determined effort will be made to reverse the law reducing the constitution of the House of Representatives, whilst the Government themselves cannot be relied upon to continue of the same frame of mind as now 011 that question a year hence. Therefore, whether strictly constitutional or not, or unsupported by precedent, we sincerely hope the House and the Government will agree to dissolve during the recess. We base our security for good on the extinction of the present Parliament.