MINISTERIAL BLUNDERING.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8541, 22 July 1893, Page 6

MINISTERIAL BLUNDERING.

These: is every appearance on the part of the Government of a determination to bring the session to an end at the earliest.possible date. The experience of the last ten days has evidently convinced them that it is hopeless to think of passing legislation of any importance in a moribund House. Members are thinking of the coming elections and Ministers \ are discovering **' that their control over the Home ia daily, sKppiog from them.-If that control continues to diminish at the present rate, by the exuH of the session they will find themsoivea the nominal leaders *of a hopelessly disorganised team, and their prospects in the country correspondingly overclouded, Ib such circumetaisces, it is in the interest of the Government to get rid of members at the earliest possible date, and members themselves are equally dissatisfied with a state of ap»rs which can bring them no -credit when they have to face their constituents.

We have already commented on the sorry figure which the Premier cuts as a leader, and need not enlarge on the point again, But even those who bad formed a by no means high estimate of Mr. SjEDboir's capacities, have felt surprised at the display which he daily makes on the floor of the House. They expected a considerable amount of bluster and strong-headedaess on his part, but they at least thought that he would avoid leading the-party into a hopeless bog of confusion. Yet on nearly every question that has occupied the attention of Parliament he has contrived to place himself and his supporters in a false position. Ou tbe licensing question, on the question of the female franchise, on the subject of local Government, and other matters, the same course of blundering has been pursued. The result is that the Government followers are not merely

dissatisfied,they are positively.alarmed. Ministers shirk the lead when their supporters need a Riding hand. They place themselves at the head of a movement wheu tl»sy should leave the ta_k to one or ofcl *er of the rank and file of the party. Even with reap* ot to such an important matter asi; Native legislation they display a wafl t of courage which is surprising. It f s agreed on all sides that the one question which,should occupy the atteat M>u of the House at the present time ia Native land legislation. Yet it is -quite apparent that nothing is going to be done. Tbe Cadman-Eees aflfeiir took all nerve out of Ministers. The present members of the Ministry know nothing of the subject, 1 sunless Mr. Carroll can be held to ha*-?!! that acquaintance. But that gentlem-j-jn has not the knowledge which is rfneded, —at any rate it is not of the kind. Moreover, |he has not the, confidence of his own race nor tiaat of the European population. It was at one time reported that he» was to have the portfolio of Native Minister, but the Government 'hust have discovered that such an appointment would greatly weaken tbaoi in the North Island. Having larnved at this conclusion, they wou Id appear to be able to go no f urthe r*. There are half-a-dozen men in the ranks of their party who claim that tl ley have all the necessary qualifications'! for the post, but as no one mau is pointed to as specially fitted for the posit lion, Ministers are at their wits' end tQ< ,kaow what to do. At present, they wotaid appear to have taken refuge in a do-nothing policy. The House has been informed that the filling tip of the vacant portfolio isf receiving the attention of Miuist era*, and in the meantime measures are being prepared. But whose |jts the master hand which is framing a upon which the future of* the colony so largely depends ? No one knfows. The position is simply iamental |le. Ministers fear to take any step Whatever lest they offend someone or ot>*w. The result is inevitable. The Mi*_\jßtry,8 try, without a responsible Native Minify, will allow the session to pass, w fthout really touching the great questiQ_*s__^ Yet what a great opportunnry*^_j| e y are allowing to slip away, It is n^ their power if they had the maa W secure for themselves the almos? undivided support of the North fslaud. There the people realise the imperative aeed for a vigorous. Native la&*4 policy, based on sound principles.They feel that each month which is allowed to slip away is so much wealth lost to the colony, There are millions of acres fit for settlement which should be as speedily as possible thrown open. This question, it is felt, is of real ana practical importance to the whole of the people of New Zealand. Yet Ministers are either afraid or unable to grapple with it. They make a pretence of bringing down some Bills, but if these measures are to be left to be guided through the House bj the Native member of the Executive, their prospect of success is poor indeed. This policy of delay may be all very well as regards most of the measures which, are presented to the House for approval. Nine-tenths of those Bills would be better postponed for an indefinite period, for their passage may do Borne harm, <j_«*t_in}y..®iiU do no one any good. We Are no advocates of OFer-legislation, -b'ufc it is' universally agreed that the Native land laws require sweeping from the Statute Book to be replaced try a simple and intelligent enactment. Every day that this is delayed the worse it is for the colony. Yet we fear that once more that reform will be again postponed to a future session. We venture to predict, however, that a very considerable number of the electors will mark their sense of their; dissatisfaction at the polls. We have been promised reforia session after session with precisely the same result;: t This want of courage oa the part of fcbfr Premier, this sWr_aug of responsibility, when a bold front would in the end secure far more support than it can alienate, is the very last thing, that was predicted of Mr. Srddon when ue took office. It appears to us, however, that with all r jus so ; called doggedoess and determination he lacks the qualities which make a powerful leader. The courage which changes into rudeness to an avowed opponent, or which is exercised in jumping upon an obsequious Liberal Association, is not the strength which can take a firm course in an emergency. The Government are frightened at the prospect of alienating the support of several Auckland members, who each thinks that he has a right to a seat in the Cabihot. Because of that fear they are really shirking a task which if carried out successfully would bring to them an enormous accession of strength,