THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2305, 3 February 1891, Page 2

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

It has become a commonplace to say at the close of each session that the time has been wasted, but this would certainly not apply to the one which has just closed, although for brevity it has beaten the record in this colony. Parliament has been prorogued after having sat-for five days, but that; short time has been sufficient for us to divide the sheep from the goats. We have been made acquainted with the relative strength of parties, and there can be no doubt that the Liberals have gained the victory, and that there is not the slightest chance of thepres.ent Opposition ousting them from their seats. The absence of Sir Harry Atkinson from the House deprives the party of their main strength, as the rest of the late Ministry are altogether too weak to make it possible that they will be able to obtain any substantial support. The Continuous Ministry has, indeed, become a thing of the past, and the colony is to be congratulated upon having sounded its death knell at the general election At the same time, the Government should not feel itself too safe. The party is mainly composed of men who ai*e new to Parliamentary life ; and it is quite possible that they will be made the victims of intrigue. The principal difficulty Avill be to keep them well together during the recess, so that when the House re-assembles they will know upon which side it is expedient to vote, in. order to keep their election pledges. For our own part, we do not feel the slighest apprehension on this point. A man new to political life may be inveigled into entering the wrong lobby when a crucial point is at stake ; but it will be far more difficult to deal with a compact party in this way. So long as they adhere to their liberal professions made on the hustings, they may rely on the support of their constituents, and we anticipate no difficulty on that score. The recent debate on the want of confidence motion brought forward by Mr Rollestoii showed that in the ranks of the labor party are to be found many men of more than average ability, and we should not be astonished to find that next session the pages of " Hansard" will not contain many speeches below the average. Another point "that was raised during the leite session was whether the fulllionorarium should, be paid for such a short period ; but, so far as the present law goes, there can be no doubt that members are entitled to it. The chief point to be considered is that the late Government is solely and entirely responsible for a wasted session so far as legislation is concerned. If Sir Harry Atkinson had carried out his pledge to resign should the elections prove that his party were in minority, there would not have been the slightest necessity for Parliament assembling before a new Ministry had been formed. The late Government is in fact distinctly responsible for the expense that has been incurred, and it is simply ridiculous for them to attempt to place the burden on the others. As we have said, the session, short as it has been, will not be wasted when Parliament meets for the carrying out of the business of the country. The position of parties will be clearly defined, the one side will know exactly what it desires to do, and the other side will know what it has to oppose. That the Opposition is strong is matter for congratulation, as a fair, honest, and straightforward criticism is what is absolutely necessary for the good government of the colony. Taking all the circumstances into consideration, the outlook of political affairs is exceptionally favorable, and we have not the slightest doubt that the present Government will not only hold its own against its opponents, but that it will carry out its work to the satisfaction of the colony as a whole. There are, of course, certain pitfalls in the road of a new administration, however able the members may be; but Avith a strong majority at their backs, so long as-extreme measures are not resorted to there is no reason to fear that they will do anything to interfere with the progress oi New Zealand.