The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. TUESDAY, OCT. 13,1891.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3003, 13 October 1891, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. TUESDAY, OCT. 13,1891.

Prkssuue on our space, consequent on thfs I , lection, h:is pro vented our noticing the address of the Premier to his constituents. Mr Ballancc has commented on tin: two- classes of criticism to which the Government has been subjected. On the one hand he points out that the Ministry is taunted that little legislation has resulted ; in fact that there never had been a. greater contrast between promises and performances. On the other that much had been done, and much of this was mischievous We consider that lioth criticisms are just, and that Mr 'Ballanci , , when he claimed that one set of criticisms neutralised the other, was illogical. The value of a tree is judged by the amount of ripened fruit it otlVrs ro the jfize of the ptithorer; the half matured and useless portion is not taken iuto account. Only two of the policy measures of the Government have became law and wo are distinctly of opinion that both ol' these are mischievous —the Land and Income Tax Bill and tho Legislative Council Bill. Wo have so often pointed to the evils and dishonesty of the former that, we can pass it over with the reimirk that Mr Ballauca has not attempted to justify the taxing of occupiers and owners of land a higher relative rate than any other class in the community. As rogtirds tho Legislative Council Bill we behove- that by limiting the touuro of a seat there is danger of tho indoi'uudencoof inoinbors boiug weakened, at any rate immediately previoiw to their retirement. If a member desired reappointment, that voappointment being vested in the popular Assembly, there will be a tendency to vote for popularity rather than for tho interests of the country, presuming of course that, as during the last session, measures in his opinion inimical to the interests of the people, are sent up from the Assembly for endorsation. To vote according to his opinion would of course onsuro that ho would cease to bo a Councillor. Mr Ballance's explanation of tho defections from tho ranks of his party are certainly more truthful than satisfactory. To quoto his words as telegraphed : " When thoro we;e twelve candidates for .six offices there must naturally bo disappointment, and it was _ not unnatural that some of tho disappoiuted ones should either at once "O into opposition or endeavour to form a middle party" This is tantamount to tho assertion that certain loading members of his party voro only propared to support the policy of tho Government on tho terms' tli.it thoy woro to recoivo tho salaries of Ministers. Further than that, it implies that they woro prepared either to directly prevent that policy being (riven effect to by joining those opposed to it, or indirectly by becoming members of a middle partv, with of course tho same

olijoct in viow. Whoii tlio Promior of" ii country thus estimates tlio in)ii".sfv, <: ju.sistuiioy mid patriotism fif his lending supporters, whnt liopo is there that tlio people c;ui look upon I'iirliiimoiu as 111131 thing .short of a curse to tlio country so lon£ ns that party commands a iiKijority? Tho sanio higli sense of decency has percolatod through to the rank and file, as is clearly demonstrated by the Payment of Mombers Bill, of which Mr Ballanco oxpro3sos approval in a semiiipologetie.il tone. Tho people of this colony have wept for many years over tho madness of thoir representatives. To uso jtfr Ballanco's own word's, " henco those tears." There 13 good reasons why thoHo sited by tho Premier should bo tlio most bitter. What _ a fate to bo forced into the position of' loading such an unscrupulous crew as ho has depicted! Tho question will naturally suggest itself to every mau of honesty and decency : "Is there a more despicable position in the colony than that of leader of the Great Liberal Party ?" Mr Ballance has so termed his supporters. Great indeod in numbers, but equally great in political dishonesty and thirst for self-aggran-disment, utterly regardless of the rules laid down for the guidance of men in their private and political relations with thoir fellows. However strong our suspicions that this was the case, we should have hesitated to commit them to paper, but now that tho Premier has made such a damaging and painful admission we are bound to accept it as accurate. Ho is in the position to know, and has spoken. Thero is really nothing more in the Premier's spoech that calls for comment.