MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29. THE CLOSE OF PARLIAMENT.

Bush Advocate, Volume XIV, Issue 156, 29 September 1902, Page 2

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29. THE CLOSE OF PARLIAMENT.

.... - — ■ ' +;. ' •, . ' ' .. . Within a few days ;the session of 1902 will terminate, and at a later date the present Parliament will be . dissolved. The session is noteworthy in one or two respects. This is the first year since the present Government took office that Mr Seddon has been absent from Parliament for a whole session. As our readers are aware, Mr Seddon was summoned to England on State affairs a few months ago, therefore his absence was unavoidable. In Sir Joseph Ward he has, however, an able lieutenant. When Sir Joseph accepted the position of Acting-Premier there was considerable speculation aB-tOjwhether he was fitted to lead his party during the absence of his chief, but there are no doubts to-day on this point. Sir Joseph Ward has demonstrated to the whole colony that he possesses all those qualities which are essential for the successful leadership of a Party. The manner in which he has discharged his duties this session has Convinced the public that he-is eminently fitted for, the high office to which he has been temporarily called. With his own followers he has exercised the greatest tact and has shown them every consideration, thereby earning their cooperation and unswerving loyalty. Those who occupy the Opposition benches in the House have received from him the utmost courtesy, with the result that the business of Parliament has been conducted with a smoothness which has been most favourably commented upon by the ptiblic. Of Sir Joseph Ward it can truly be said that he possesses in the highest degree the qualities of snaviter in modo and fortiter in re, and therein lies the real secret of his success. When the session ends members will separate with the satisfactory knowledge that there have been no bittec recriminations or personal attacks of an unjustifiable nature. It is an undeniable fact that some of the ablest men in the colony studiously avoid taking an active part in politics owing to the turmoil and strife which so frequently prevail. It may be that the experienceof the present session is but a herald to the dawn of a new era in Parliamentary life ; when our politicians will strive to reach a higher plane in the promotion of good and pure government f when no effort will be spared to raise the tone of politics j and^ when the men best fitted to guide the destinies of this young country will give the people their services ungrudgingly. This is a condition of things which will benefit the whole community and ensure a greater degree of prosperity than the people are now enjoying. Within the next two months New Zealand will be in the throes of a general election. From one end of the colony to the other candidates have been announced for various constituencies, and judging by the , number anxious to enter Parliament there will be quite a plethora of contestants for some of the seats. The question as to the fitness or otherwise of the candidates is one wholly for the electors to decide. It goes without saying that of all the candidates already announced there is not one who considers himself unfitted for the office which he is socking to fill. It therefore follows that the doctors have an important duty to discharge in deciding who shall represent them in Parliament. If thoy are anxious that tho country shall be governed by the ablest men available they will give careful and earnest consideration to the views of each candidate, so that the best representation may bo .secured. If, on the other hand, the electors are indifferent, there is a danger of men occupying seals in Parliament who are ill-litted to bear such responsibilities. The composition of the new Parliament rests entirely with the people. They have the right to say who shall represent them, and having such a privilege granted them, it behoves them to use the wisest discretion in order that tho best results may accrue. It frequently happens that self-seeking

politicians are successful in gaining seats in Parliament— men who are striving for their own aggrandizement, and with whom the welfare of the country is but a minor consideration. Legislators of this class are not desirable, and their ambitions will not be realised if the electors are true to themselves. The matter is ono which should be earnestly considered by the electors, and they will not neglect their duty if it is desired that a high conception of state and individual responsibilities should obtain. What constitutes a State ? Men who their duties know, But know their right 3, and, knowing, dare maintain, And Sovereign law, that State's collected will, O'er thrones and globes elate, Sits empresß, crowning good, repressing ill.