The Press. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1886.

Press, Volume XLIII, Issue 6548, 17 September 1886, Page 2

The Press. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1886.

.The recess is yet young, and the din of the political battles of the past session has scarcely faded away from our hearing. It may therefore seem rather premature to call upon our political leaders to betake themselves to the platform. But judging from our experience of past years there is much need to begin early to preach to New Zealand politicians the duty of endeavoring to educate public opinion, for there is no duty which they are more disposed to shirk than this. Aβ we said before the session began, whatever may be the shortcomings of the present Government, it could not be laid to their charge that they were afraid to come upon the platform. On the contrary, our only complaint was that they appeared so of ten and in bo many different characters, that it was very difficult to make anything like an accurate forecast of their policy. But the leaders of the Opposition, on the other hand, were like a mob of timid sheep. Each seemed to be afraid to move till somebody else had moved. Now, are they going to conduct themselves in the same fashion during this recess? Are they again going to wait to see how the cat jumps before they speak out ? If so, they deserve to receive the due rf ward of such contemptible cowardice in the shape of a very long if not a permanent exclusion from office. For really, we know of no being more contemptible than a politician, who either . has no convictions of hie own, or holds them so loosely that be feels no desire to win their acceptance by the public. ; * Even if Major Atkinson were sound enough on the question of freetrade, even if we felt that he was now sufficiently sobered by the cool breezes of opposition to be again trusted with the control of our finances,: we feel that he is too much of a mere Parliamentarian to allow us to hope that he is ever destined to do much towards the formation of public opinion in New Zealand. Major Atkinson appears to have no higher notion of the duties of a leader than that he should be constantly engaged in the task of securing the votes of the Ptkes, the JVC. Bkowks, and the Seddows of the House. As for coming amongst the people and trying to influence their choice of representatives by endeavouring to inspire them with a lofty sense of their responsibilities as electors, or by acquainting them with his version of political events, that is the very last thing he would think of. " Let them choose whom they will, pledged in what way they think fit, it will be time enough for mc to act when the members are in Wellington, and I can see how they are most easily to be secured for my party." If we may judge by Major Atioksoii's past career, that is what he would be likely to say to himself. His turn of office will no doubt come again if he lives long enough, but he will again be the mere hireling of the House, and not the leader of the people, unless of course he turns over a new leaf. But there are other men of ability on the Opposition side who are quite capable of exercising a whole, some influence on public opinion, and we do hope that they will bestir themselves, and let us hear before very long what in their opinion should be done to get us out of the very deplorable financial mess into which we are feet getting. There are very few electors who read Mansard, cheap as that extremely uninteresting publication now is. Bat many will go to hear speeches, and still more will read reports of them, and comments on them, in the newspapers. Public discussion is more important by far than Parliamentary discussion, if we are to have real popular government. In England all public questions are settled, as regards principles, on the platform and in the Press, long before they come up for fin*] settlement as regards details in Parliament. Tie consequence is that in_England—whfithftr fra? _ai«al ar ■P^.

ihej do here. "We do not mean to undervalue the representative feature of our system of Government. We do not mean, to say that representatives ought to be mere delegates, unable to vote.on any question unless [they bare direct instructions from the constituencies. But we say that ' representatives are not real representatives unless they reflect public opinion, and they cannot reflect public opinion unless there is public opinion to be reflected. Public opinion has to bo formed by the supply of information and of argument, and the creation of an interest in public matters, and it is the business of public men and of the Press, who are the teachers of the public in matters political, to supply this information and argument, and to create this interest. They are fal«e to their position if they do not perform thie duty. Now, we venture to say that the character of the news- ; papers of New Zealand is very creditable to the colony. They will compare favorably in all respects with the newspapers of many older countries. They do their duty in opposing powerful cliques very well indeed. They discuss public questions very fearlessly, and they spare no trouble or expense in supplying the public with accurate information. But public men, if they are of the right sort, can wield a greater influence than newspapers can. Our only regret is, that so many of the best of our public men care so little to exercise the influence which they might so easily exercise.

We hope that Sir Robert Stout will take an eady opportunity of addressing the people of Christchurch. We think we are right in saying that he haa never yet honored a Christchurch audience by addressing them. We are sure that the public here would be very pleased to listen to him, and that they would give him a very cordial reception. We did not flatter the Premier the other day when we spoke so warmly about the strength of his position with the public. No man could do so much to bring the public to a proper understanding of the very serious condition of the Colonial finances as ha could. As he is apparently likely to be in Christchurch a good deal during the next month or two we trust that he will take this hint and favour the citizens of the Canterbury capital with hie opinions on public affairs. Wβ ehall probably not be able to agree with all that he has to cay nor even with a great deal which he may say if he seeks to justify all. the past actions of his Government, but we shall be only too pleased to co-operate very cordially with him in any reasonable proposals for restoring financial equilibrium. Perhaps if he will set the ball rolling it may lead to a much-needed and earnest discussion of public affaire by the public themselves, a consummation which is most devoutly to be wished.