THE GOVERNMENT AND SIR ROBERT STOUT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 285, 1 December 1893, Page 2

THE GOVERNMENT AND SIR ROBERT STOUT.

The Opposition journals, since tho utte oub of their parby in tho genoral elections became undeniable, havo adopted an attitude which is as ridiculous as ib is unconstitutional. The Governmonb wont to tho country upon their general policy > of ;vhich tho licensing question formed a very subordinate parb. They were branded by bhe Opposition press as bhe creatures and mouthpieces of brewers and publicans, as despoilers of settlors' homesteads, incapable and corrupt administrators. Never in tho history of party warfare in New Zealand haß so much bitter vituperation been employed to discredit the Ministry individually and collectively. Nevertheless, the electors, trom end to end of New Zealand, have shown that they estimated this clap-trap at its true worth, and while every member of the Cabinet has secured re-election, tho Opposition, including its most trusted leaders, were rejected, and the party, as a political force, absolutely annihilated. This ia the posibion beyond all question, and yeb the Opposition journals have the impudence to tell their readers that the

victory has nob been ono for the Ministry, but that, for some occult reason, the laurel wreabh of vicbory should be placed on bhe brow of a private member who unbil lasb session had not for a period of five years even held a seat in bhe House, j and who, ab the timo of the election, filled no public office of any Kind whatever. People who suppose bhab Mr Seddon will accept for a moment such an outrageous posibion misbake thoir man. I Sir Roberb Sbout is, no doubb, a j very acbivo and clevor politician, but ihe has less claim io credib for breaking down Conservatism and securing the triumph of Liberalism iv the New Zealand Parliamenb than the mosb unassuming member of tho Liberal party who stuck persistency to the cause during the years which Sir Roberb Stoub spenb in rebiremenb and applicabion bo his own private business. Sir Roberb Stout's claim bo pre-eminence in bhe Liberal councils ab the presenb momenb, aro nob to be mentioned in tho same broabb with those of Sir Goorge Grey ; yeb no one for a momenb suggests bhat bho elections just closed affirmed tho righb of the veberan founder of Liberaliam in New Zealand to become head of tho party. It was upon the Ministry under Mr Seddon thab the verdicb of the counbry was baken, and we greably mistake the character of the Premier if he allow Sir Roberb .Sbout, by any device or intrigue, or by forcing into prominence any side issue, to snatch bhe fruibs of vicbory. Our conbemporary this morning, by taking the whole body of the Opposition, whether favourable to the Government licensing bill of lasb session or not, and adding bo them the names of all who " have eibher pledged bhomselves bo bhe direcb voto or have expressed a desire to see the new Act amended," sobs up a bogus Sboub parby, who, according bo the " Herald's" reckoning, will call for an early meeting of Parliament and displace Mr Seddon. Wo shall believe in the call for an early session when ib has been made, nob beforo ; und wo shall be greatly surprised if Mr Seddon is hoodwinked into waiving one iota of his constitutional rights in bhis matber. The counbry has reburned an emphatic voto of confidence in bho present Ministry, and as tho Responsible Advisers of His Excellency the Governor, ib is for bhom, and thorn alone, to determine when Parliamenb shall meeb. Nothing would justify them in calling Parliamenb, which only rose bwo months ago, together ogam before tho usual timo, after tho expiration of the financial year. When it meets, will be soon enough for the House bo repeal or amend any law on bhe Sbabube Book. The power of Parliament, whon in session, is supreme, and its discretion untrammelled wibh regard bo the bime ab which ibs decisions shall bake effecb. The new House, however, will, we believe, heßitate before ib adopts the unusual course of repealing an Act passed by large majorities in the provious Parliamenb before its provisions havo been put to a practical working test and proved bo be mischievous or unsabisfactory.