The Press. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1898. WHAT WILL THE PREMIER DO?

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9993, 24 March 1898, Page 4

The Press. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1898. WHAT WILL THE PREMIER DO?

The loss of the Wellington election has caused the Premier and his Ministers much uneasiness. This is seen from the. inspired articles which have appeared in one or two Ministerial papers. " Trial balloons " have been set adrift to discover how public opinion may be likely to set. The Premier is really at his wits end. He has no suggestiveness, and lacks all constructive power. What is he to do ? We believe he is in great doubt. At one time he thought of meeting Parliament with the Old Age Pension Bill as the one pressing business, and of putting it at the top of his programme and of forcing it through. If it was rejected by the Council again he would ask the Governor either to swamp the Council or grant him a dissolution. The swamping of the Council would give him an opportunity of rewarding the many faithful henchmen who have shouted in favour of our Liberal dictator. We doubt if the Governor would consent to destroy the Constitution, and swamping the Council would do so. The other recourse would be to ask for a dissolution. His Excellency would, however, be bound to point out that constitutionally Mr. Seddon is not entitled to a dissolution. He has a majority in the House of Representatives, and the House was elected when he was" in office. Farther, the Pension Bill was not specially referred to at the general election. Other measures were as prominent. There is another reply ; the by-elections have not gone in favour of the Government, and at these by-elections the Old Age -Pension Bill was not made so much of as some other political questions. One suggestion — apparently of Ministerial inspiration—is that there should be started a new loan policy. The Premier would dearly like to launch a loan scheme. He would say he had loans for the North Island Trunk, for the Midland Bailway, for the Ofcago Central, &c., &c. He would promise roads, bridges, steam trawlers, goldfields expenditure, &c, &c. Of course this would be a reversal of both Sir Haeby Atkinson's and Mr. Ballaxce's politics, but what would Mr. Seddon care for that 7 He is timid, however, and he dreads the loss of the small settlers' votes. They know that borrowing and blundering would mean increased taxation in the near future. The towns are also getting alive to the bluster of the Premier, and Danedin and Wellington by-elections have shown him that the intelligent workingmen will no longer be deceived. What then can he do ? Posing as the working man's friend is nearly played out. Me. Skddox is also troubled with

bis colleagues. Hβ can get no suggestions from them. A Thompson or a Hall-Jones could advise no one. And he does not like to be led by Mr. M'Ke.nzie, of whom he has always had a jealous feeling. He would like to obtain Mr. Ward's services, but he is afraid how that would please. Then, bit by bit, the acts of corruption of the Government are being laid bare, and he would dearly like to retire with honour. This, however, will never ba his position. When he is sent into the political wilderness he will have to depart with a heavy burden of political sins on his shoulders, and the people will yet come to look upon him with little favour. Even the most ardent Liberal does not like to see a friend or acquaintance, or even a political boss, become wealthy. If one does obtain that desirable position the ardent Liberal is inclined to question the right to accumulate wealth. What, then, will the Premier do ? H* will, we suppose, in the meantime, try the old tactics. We shall have banquets and bluster, stumping tours at the colony's expense, and lavish statements that will not bear much critical investigation. There will be a nourish in Parliament about Old Age Pensions, and threats of dissolution made to keep some of his recalcitrant followers in due servitude. He will not venture on a loan policy, and he will keep his office so long as he can. He will not give up his syndicates nor his directorships, but he will take more if there is payment made to him; On one thing he has set his heart, and that is to become a wealthy man, and we suppose he has already reached that goal. The Premier will remain what he has been. Oar deeds still travel with us from afar, And what we have been makes us what we are, sang the poetess. It is true of Mr. Seddon. We expect him to stump the country, but there will be neither light nor leading from his speeches. It will be the old, old story, the West Coast speeches will be refurbished up, and our readers will therefore know what to expect when he ascends the platform; and when all these expedients have failed, there is still left the Agent-Generalship to fall back upon.