The Press. THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1988.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7122, 19 July 1888, Page 4

The Press. THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1988.

Now that all hope of turning the Government out on a motion of Want of Confidence is at an end, we may expect to tinel that the necessary work of the session will be pushed through with the utmost vigor. . if the original programme laid down iv the Governor's Speech 1 is carried out much yet remains to be done before —(embers are dismissed to their homes. There is the Electoral Bill, the Native Bills, as well as the Estimates to be disposed of, to say nothiug of several other minor questions awaiting discussion, The question of electoral reform is an important one, aud it would have given us much satisfaction to have Been the Ministerial Bill adopted by the Legislature. Apart altogether from the question of the adoption of the' Hare system of voting there are a number of very necessary reforms embodied in the Electoral Bill which would materially assist in purifying our elections. We admit, however, that it would be unreasonable to expect the Legislature to embark upon the consideration of the Bill brought down by tbe Government at this stage of the Bessiou. The revision of the tariff has naturally occupied a considerable' time; aud Ministers might

be excused if they claim«s_ that tne passiug of such a measure, whether we approve of it or not, was enough for one session's work. Were the Electoral Bill next considered, the public would naturally expect members to give several sitting days for its discussion. . The' Bin-involves _ question of the 5 utriHJSt .importance to the future of the colony. It is admitted by most people who have given, any attention to the matter, that the present system baa proved a failure. It cannot be affirmed that the status of the House of .Representatives has risen as it should have done with the growth of population. On the contrary, it has steadily deteriorated. Our House is still, perhaps, superior to those of the sister colonies, but that superiority is no longer so striking as was for many years the case. It it is claimed for the Hare system that it would result in a salutary change \ that it would ensure the election only of men of character and reputatiou, whilst it excluded some from the House who cannot pretend to be any great acquisition to it. It is obvious, however, that such a change as the Government Bill contemplates should be adopted only after the fullest deliberation on the part of the Legislature. Even if there is a majority in favour of the plan it would, without J doubt, meet with the most determjued j opposition from a large section of the House. It would be resisted with as much earnestness | and vigour as the Tariff proposals of tiie Government were opposed by the freetraders. The chances are that it would meet with even more strenuous opposition, inasmuch as it would be regarded by some as closing for ever their parliamentary career. If, however, the question is not dealt with this session, we hope it will not be overlooked during the recess. Hitherto very little notice has been taken of the proposal, either on the platform or in the columns of the newspapers. Yet in reality no more important problem could engage the attention of the public. There is no reason in the world why its solution should not be approached free from any party considerations. Both sides of the House are equally concerned in having our election contests conducted on proper principles, -and of seeing that the machinery is provided for enabling the electors to give a perfectly impartial expression of their opinion. We are by no means certain that, in a considerable number of instances, such an opportunity was afforded during the last elections. The extent to which the rolls iv some districts were stuffed i was simply disgraceful, and if all the names which have since been struck oil' some of the rolls had been excluded 1 altogether from these rolls, the result might possibly have been very different. It is of the most vital im- ; portance that under a Bystem which i virtually gives every male adult a vote, 1 stringent machinery should be provided for guarding against impersonation and illegal voting.

We cannot, however, as we have said, expect a large number of important questions to be dealt with within the limits of one short session. For all practical purpose-, iv this colony members cannot be induced to remain in Wellington much longer than three months. Already there are indications of impatience, and members are beginning to talk of the prorogation. Yet the whale of the Estimates have to be considered, and the policy embodied in the approaching Public Works Statement to be debated. Not that we expect very much at the hands of the House when the Estimates are under discussion. Now and again a few salaries are attacked, and after much waste of time a paltry reduction effected. Having done that, large sums are often voted, one after the other, with the most indecent haste, and without debate of any kind. As a matter of fact, we never remember any instance of any real practical economy being effected when the items of the Estimates were being considered separately. Economy must either be the voluntary work of the Ministry; or they have to be forced into its exercise by resolution. As far as the present Government are concerned, whatever may bo the fate of Mr. Withy's resolution, they can be trusted to continue in the course they have been pursuing with such signal success since they entered upon office. Au Administration that can point to a saving of £230,000 effected iv a few months of official life has already given evidence of their earnestness in the cause of economy. Whether, therefore, the Estimates are carefully and laboriously discussed or not, we look forward to the work of Retrenchment and economy being continued with thesame earnestness which was juanif ested duriug the recent recess. Consequently, when the Estimates are voted and a few measures suoh as the Native Land Bill, the Lmd Act Amendment, and one or two necessary measures passed, nothing is to be gained by keeping the House longer together. The sooner Ministers are allowed to give their undivided attention to the work of economical administration the better it will be for the colony.