The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and excat Justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, JAN. 21, 1891.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2894, 31 January 1891, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and excat Justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, JAN. 21, 1891.

An ugly fact readies us fro.n Wellington' It appears that twenty men in tho House waited oil the Premier, asking the re-appointment of th<! men discharged by the Railway Commissioners during or subsequent to tho attempt which was made to paralyse the whole trade of the colony by means of an universal strike. This, not because as a rule there was any grievance under which men in New Zealand were suffering, but in aid of and out of sympathy for strikers in another colony. The deputation appears to havo asserted, whether rightly or wrongly, that these men were discharged in consequence of their recognition of the Union. This is putting the case very mildly, simply recognising the existence of the Union or belonging to it would have been a venial offence, but the complexion of the case was materially altered when that recognition implied allegiance to the Unions, and questioning the right of the Commissioners to assert authority when the " Labour Kings" chose to instruct their followers, slaves or dupes to cease work, utterly regardless of the interests of the public who pay them for loyal service. The reply of Mr Ballance was characteristic. His party was returned to Parliament with a majority very much owing to the recent agitations in the labour markets of Australasia, and future elections must be taken into consideration bv Ministers when replying to deputations. The Premier is reported to have promised that he would accede to the representations so far as was " consistent with /heir powers.'' This reply is only calculated to deceive the class which was silly enough to blindly obey irresponsible leaders to their own detriment and loss. As regards the members who composed the deputation they must be considered parties to the deception, as they must or should have been well aware that the Premier had no power whatever to deal with the matter, but popularity with the section of electors who are liable to bodeeived by such bunkum must be courted.

In this connection it is stated ihat n T»ill is likoly to bo introduced repealing tho Act appointing and ■ ••ranting tho Commissioners their uucDntrollod power. I t is almost impossibly to conceive a .stronger argument tor its continuance than is afforded by the deputation, itself'. Had it not been in force during tho late strikes it is quito within tho range of probability that railway sorvnnl* would havo struck from one end of tho colony to the other. A n'onoral election was pending aud it was then clear that the result would dopund very much upon tho vot: of the working classes, who would havo had time to recover from their temporary aberration of intellect sulHciently to recognise ou which side their bread is buttered. This was actually the ease, and is the main reason of Mr Bailanco finding himself in tho position to bo deputationised. Tho utterances of Sir E. Stout, Mr Ballaneo's former colleague, show thac had he unfortunately been in power ho would have encouraged tho railway servants to strike and more nearly accomplish the completo paralysis of trado with which we were threatened —for tho reason that other men had sinned. We maintain that the deputation clearly demonstrates that the Act must he kept in force and men not subject to political pressure held responsible for tho success or non-success of our railways, whether purely as such or as inducements population aud tho agentj in otherwise bringing about the prosperity of the colony, it may be that the selection of Commissioners has uot been the best possible, but that is no reason for again placing our railways under the control of a department, the head of which is subject to the vicissitudes of political party and popular election. It to be sincerely hoped that Parliament will vigorously oppose any attempt which may be made to return to the old system. Legislation in the direction of power to remove any and every one of the

(.'oinniissi'MKT-i t'roi.i ofii-.-e >>y ;«• substantial majority ot tin. l iml Council tuny lm ndvis;tliL\ It ir, ot almost nju.-il importance Unit those to whom il'" eiurying ont of tin; details in our railway management should !>o protected as are the Judges from Ministerial caprice and popular agitation. ihe railway question never has lieen. is not, and never will ho considered u tit subject for tin; exercise by public spirited men of party political tactics. The pretence by Mr Bulliinee, for the sake of popularity, of possessing a power which lie well knows he does not, promises badly for the. purity of administration during his reign. We have suffered too much lately by a limp Ministry to bear a repetition of the evil with patience, and the action of Mr Builance has evidenced great limpness.