The Press. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1893. "THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS."

Press, Volume L, Issue 8582, 8 September 1893, Page 4

The Press. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1893. "THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS."

The lists of Billa enumerated in yesterday's issue which are to be saorifioed hag no doubt been read with much pleasure by the public. Had it been twice as long the colony would have had no cause to complain. This much enduring country has long suffered under a deluge of legislation which would have swamped a leas vigorous oommunity. In the estimation of the majority of our representatives, the principal function of Parliament is to pass laws. Even if the Bills which are' introduced and fought over were in themselves perfectly harmless the electors would have jusb ground of complaint. Parliament exists not merely for the passing of laws, but for the higher purpose of securing for the country the preservation of peace, the securing of order, and the promotion of progress. These duties imply . a careful and minute examination, on the part of the representatives, of the administration of the Cabinet in whose hands the duty of governing is placed. Aβ 'a rule however, this task ia discharged in the most perfunctory manner. Our sham system of party Government shuts the mouths of the Government supporters. They vote for Bills and support proceedings which in their hearts they condemn. Every form of the House is made use of to cover unsavoury jobs and proceedings whioh will not bear the light of day. The Opposition is often powerless to unearth them, because the majority refrain from, assisting them in their efforts. But if Parliament miserably fails in its duty in devoting its chief energies towards guiding the nation on the path of true progress and intelligent reform, it makes up for its neglect by flooding the country with a whole host of Bills, mostly injurious. The time was in the history of New Zealand when a representative felt that he was nob likely to receive the thanks of his constituents unless he returned to them with a full share of the plunder in the shape of borrowed money. The most that members can now boast of is that they aided in passing so many Bills into law. The longer the list is the prouder the most of them appear to be of their performances. If these measures strike a blow at the stability of this or that interest bo much the better, in the estimation of those iconoclastic legislators. The truth is that the people of New Zealand have fallen on evil days so far as representative Government is concerned. The people do not apply the same rules in the selection of members as they do in the ordinary walks of life. They have no difficulty in arriving at the qualities in citizens individually *• which conduce most to keep up the amount of good conduct, of good management, and of success and prosperity," which are essential to social stability. But when they turn to the duty of selecting those who are to guide the State, they are too often content to accept the noisy demagogue, the plausible humbug, and the self-seeking charlatan. It is not surprising therefore if the results are disappointing. The failures of society do not become competent men of business the moment they take their seats in the House. They were incompetent or worse before they were elected and they remain incompetent still. Until the electors determine that no man is worthy of a Beat in Parliament who cannot he trusted to administer the most ordinary business concern, so long must we submit to be badly governed and to nave the country harassed with an annual list of pettifogging measures calculated to retard progress and disturb public confidence. DOUBLE TAXATION. With the judgment of Mr. Justice Richmond before him in the Gear Meat Company case, the Colonial Treasurer should have no difficulty in arriving at

the conclusion that he must abandon his attempt, in the Amending Bill before the House, to legalise the double taxation of Companies thai; have borrowed money on mortgage. It is surprising that theclauie ever found Its way into fche Bill at all. The prin- • ciple that the same property canuot be 1 taxed twice over Is one which should 'be accepted at once, by all " fair-minded pereona. Even if the law had, in miatake, authorised such :an impost the Department should have taken the earliest opportunity of I seeking to amend the blander. Iα- - stead of'doing this, however, the Gear Meat Company have actually been = forced to fight the principle in the . Supreme Court. Of course there could [ only be one result of the proceedings. The Company have won their 1 case, and Mr. Justice Richmond has had the opportunity of laying down a few plain principles which should guide the imposition of taxation, which even fche most one-sided cannot very well disregard. After this, if the Government etill persisb in forcing the clause in the Bill through the House, only one conclusion can be arrived at. It will ! be patent to every one that they are more than ever determined to rake iin every sixpence of taxation they can lay their bands on without 1 even the pretence of being guided by i equity and justice. We hope to learn that the Colonial Treasurer has not really understood the point. Now that it is lucidly expounded by a Judge , of the Supreme Court, we trust that he will frankly admit that he has been ! in error.