Opinions of the Cress.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 228, 28 September 1887, Page 5

Opinions of the Cress.

Wkllixgton, this day.

The "Post," discussing the results, says that :< Wellington has now in the most emphatic manner declared its want of confidence in the present Ministry, its abhorrence of protection, and its determination to be represented by members qualified by education, character and political knowledge to do credit to their constituents and maintain a respectable position in the Legislature." The " Post" then goes on to say as follows : "Mr Bryee's defeats for Waitotara is on every ground to be deplored. Ib is almost inconceivable that any constituency could prefer a political tyro of Mr Hutchison's calibre to an experienced politician of proved ability like Mr Bryce. The vagaries of constituencies, however, are endless. The election of Kerr for Motueka over Mr Richmond Hursthonse affords another instance. The rejection of Stout in Dunedin induces a mixed feeling of satisfaction and regret. As tending to bring about the formation of a better Ministry than the one of which he ■was chief, it is satisfactory, while almost everyone will deplore the absence from the Legislatureof suchan able man and accomplished speaker. Probably, however, a few years' retirement from political life may have a most beneficial effect on Sir R. Stout. He is a young man still, and his political eminence has been one of unparralleled rapidity. The leaps and bounds by which he has risen from comparative obscurity to the Premiership and a title might well have somewhat turned even a stronger head than Sir Robert Stout's. That it has had such an effect on him is generally admitted. He and the colony may both have reason to be thankful for the temporary check now sustained. That Sir Robert Stout has got a career of great future usefulness before him cannot be doubted."

The "Post" further says: "The reelection of Sir Maurice O'Rorke and Mr Hamlin is in all respects satisfactory, and no doubt they will again be installed in their chairs to preside over the House and its committees respectively," .

DrrxEDi.v, this day.

The " Star " last night says :—" In considering the results of the .several elections in Otago, the defeat of the Premier stands out mosb significantly. Sir R. Stout is so much esteemed and liked that on personal grounds regret is in many quarters naturally felt, and there are many who perhaps even Noted against him who do not wish that he should be out of Parliament. The election, however, was fairly fought and decided on political issues, and the constituents of Dunedin East have done honour to themselves and excellent service to the colony in deciding as they have done, and setting principle before all other considerations. They have affirmed in the most conclusive manner, and in this they are supported by a substantial majority of the electorate, that they distrust the finance of Sir Julius Vogel, and have no confidence in the Ministry of which he is the prevailing influence, nor in the fantastic schemes for enriching and populating the country, winch are not based on an extension of the fields of production and selfexertion of the people. They will have no more experiments, but prudent economical administration instead of lavish expenditure, a husbanding of ways and means, reduction rather than augmentation of taxation. This is what the vote of Dunedin East yesterday means. Mr Allen enters Parliament under most favourable auspices. His speeches and conduct throughout the contest give excellent promise of an honourable public career. Exceptionally weighted by having a high standard to keep up, and taking from the first a prominent position, we may expect that he will hold himself warily, and not fall into the common error of the young, especially remembering that until, in a Parliamentary sense he knows his way about, silence is golden. In respect of the other city seats there was generally not' much choice between the candidates. Mr Stewart, if somewhat uncertain in his politics, has been a useful member in many ways, and is no doubt a fair representative of the constituency. In Dunedin Central the candidates were both protectionists, and therefore objectionable in our eyes. Dr Fitchett will possibly never shake himself free from his sponsors until he finds himself in the House, and perhaps considers it his duty to study, with more intelligence than he has hitherto done, the science of politics. The large majority obtained by Mr Fish has no political significance whatever, since both himself and his opponent declared themselves supporters of the Ministry, and prepared to advocate protection. There can, of course, be no doubt that the newlyelected member perfectly represents the constituency, and that constituency is as well represented as it deserves to be. Mr Fish must, however, realise that the charge which as candidate or private citizen he might please himself as to sitting down under, he cannot thus be ignorant of that as a member of the House; his character belongs, as it were, to the public. We do not hesitate to characterise the defeat of Messrs Rolleston, Bryce, and Trimble as a public misfortune. Many other men, in a political sense of the phrase, could have been better, spared, but there are few whose loss could have been so detrimental to the welfare of the country. Probably there are local causes in operation,and the fact may be discovered by-and-bye that refusal to advocate or ask for expenditure of public money? on some trumpery road or bridge has brought about the loss to tiie New Zealand Parliament of the truest men who ever sat within its walls."