The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religions or political. SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1892.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3112, 25 June 1892, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religions or political. SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1892.

The tone of the Governor's speech at the opening of Parliament on Thursday was more cheering than those to which we have been accustomed for some years. The facts, however, which justified the improvement were already known to us, and the same may be said of nearly every clause in the address, not excepting the list of proposed measures, which is a somewhat lengthy one. The deduction from the fact that our exports largely exceed in value the imports is perfectly logical—"proves clearly that the colony possesses both the power and the will to steadily reduce its liabilities." We read this to mean that there is no intention to propose another loan, as otherwise the sentence would be unjustifiable. If we have correctly interpreted the words one cause of fear as to the future has been removed. It is equally gratifying to find no mention in the speech of an intention to increase customs duties with the idea of encouraging manufactures. Neither is there any hint that it is purposed to reduce customs duties on necesaries as has been reported to be the intention of the Govern.* ment. It may be that information on these matters is witheld till the Treasurer brings forward his budget. Allusion is made to the abnormal application for the waste lands of the Crown mainly due to the number of special settlement associations, and the Ministry claim that this is convincing proof of the great and increasing demand for land among bona fide intending settlers. Before the statement can be accepted a return will have to be made showing by figures the members of these associations who have actually taken up the land which has fallen to their share There have been very ugly rumours in this regard, and so far as we can gather, they are largely justified by facts. We are distinctly of opinion that a substantial deposit should be demanded from each member of an association : to be forfeited in the i event of his not fulfilling the conditions of membership in the specifications. The deposit to be returned on his effecting improvements up to its value, less the rent ac«rued. This would be no hardship on the legitimate member, as it is to be presumed that ho has some capital with which to improve and stock the land he has applied for. If this course were taken there would no longer be any room for the gambling element; a small stake with the chance of a large prize in the shape of a choice section is a great temptation to act crjokedly by retiring from the scene when unsuccessful. Regret is expressed at the deaths of members of the Legislative Council, but no allusion is made as to the appointment of suitable men to fill the vacancies. The inference is therefore that no decision has been arrived at. Parliament is to be asked to give attention to the question of the future management of the railways. There is only one inference to be drawn from this sentence, and that is, that it is the intention of the Government to introduce a measure to curtail the power of the Commissioners, or abolish them altogether. The discontent frequently expressed by the Minister for Works at the existing position must have prepared the country for this step. This is the most objectionable feature in the speech. We cannot conceive Parliament committing a greater blunder than again placing the management of the railways

under a political head. It is no doubt galling to a Minister to be deprived of patronage, and consequent power to purchase votes and reward political supporters. It must not be forgotten, however, that the Commissioners were quite as much appointed for that purpose as owing to the belief that the lines would be better managed. In fact it had hecome manifest that the management of the railways to a dangerous degree was subservient to political necessities. It has been stated that it is not their intention to move in the direction of abolishing the Commissioners, but to give the Ministry the power to veto any schemes they might contemplate. Where is the differences ? Under such conditions, the Commissioners would in fact no longer exist as such, but would be simply officers of the Department. No set of men . with proper self respect would consent to retain an empty title, neither would the* allow themselves to be credited with responsibility, and allow interference by a Minister in obedience to popular clamour. If it can be proved to Parliament that the Commissioners are not managing the railways efficiently and economically, remove them by all means, but only on the understanding that others are appointed to succeed them. The Land Bill of last session is to be re-introduoed, and it is to be sincerely hoped that it is their intention to so alter the provisions, as to allow of the greatest facilities to holders under every condition of tenure to acquire the. freehold of the land they occupy. As regards the new Electoral Bill, we trust that a clause will be inserted to deprive the city electors of three votes by once more dividing the electorates. As Mr Balfour said the other day, there can be no objection to manhood suffrage provided there is equality of representation. The Government is to be congratulated upoa having wiped out the Native Department; it has a very bad history. Until the advtnt of Mr Bryce, no attempt was made to do more than tinker with the difficulty. The officials were very much in the position of the natives who are now drawing so much a tail for the destruction of rabbits; they did not do the work as thoroughly as they could, otherwise their occupation vwuld have ceased. It is in the nature oi things that the present Ministry should endeavour to establish Boards of Conciliation and Courts of Arbitration for the adjustment of trade disputes. They are forced to do so in compliance with public opinion, more particularly that of their main supporters. We quite agree with them could we believe that it is possible to settle these disputes by Act of Parliament. We, however, agree with Lord Salisbury that this is impossible. When you have established the Courts and Boards, amd disputes have been referred to them, you have only got a short distance in the road to success, for the reason that it i 3 impossible under a free constitution to enforce the awards. No legislation would, as we have previously pointed out when discussing the question, attempt to compel one set of men to employ and another to work. There is little else in the speech that calls for comment. The absence of some matters affords us as much, if not more, information in a negative sense than that which is present. It indicates that no extreme measures are to be attempted. In their absence, we believe that tho true policy is to allow Mr Ballance and his colleagues the opportunity to develop their policy, with such modifications as its discussion has made clearly necessary.