THE ELECTIONS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11394, 3 October 1902, Page 3

THE ELECTIONS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TRESS. Sir.—l regret, to see it announced that Mr A. E. G. Rhcde-s does not intend to conks!, any of the Canterbury seats at the forthcoming election. The necessity for really able cnedicates is now greater than ever. The opportunity is also an inviting one. Viewed from the standpoint of those who oppc-50 ,*.h> Seddon Government-, at no time fines that Government obtained power has its failure be*n so conspicuous* as at tho pres-ent hoirr. Never was its sdmic;stra.t;on weaker or more objectionable. Its financial policy lias practically broken ciown. The cry of the unemployed is silenced by money borrowed in the eclony by tht; sale of debentures., after the manner a grocer sells iea -»r cand-ks. The niooev which- should bi at the disposal • i tha leading institutions of the country ►■: ass'st trade, develop industries, improve acd extend fanning operations, must he mopped up to enable .tie Government «o present an appearance of sham prosperity. ! The end of that must also soon come. I Then, turnros to the administration and legislation of the Government during th? ■whole time they have been in power, and regarding the matter from the workers' point, of view, -what have, they done ? The land for settlement policy will <?r.d for want of funds, the cheap money scheme's days are numbered with the exclusion of our Treasurer from the London mnnry market, and that copes-tone of labour laws. it he Conciliation and Arbitration Act, i<

day by day failing to realise .the desire* of the workwa of the colony. Industries have bpon harassed to such an extent .\s to check their development-, and imperil the existence of many of them, and the Civil vService of the colcny. from top to botifcom. Ins been stuffed with .eroniVs and obsequious wo-rshirtpers of our present Pivmier, «nd even the liquor trade he ha* disappointed. Why. then, should our leading men be afraid to opposa the doughty Premier and his host of fawning followers, who are clamorous for the £300 a year which he has undeservedly bestowed upon them. The wrktng is visible on the wall. The. days of Seddonism ais> numbered. Yet it seems as if the Government of the colony is to be handed over to jostlers for place, pay, and power, to many of whom £SCO a year is of infinite more importance than the weal or woe of New Zealand. The tune is ripe when both sides should combine to cean out our political Augean stable, and trust Ito chance even what the fuibme will bring forth. Unless a. shaking up of the political dry bones of the country eventuate, the next Parliament will be weaker and more pusillanimoOT than any which preceded it. Such is the way the .present political position strikes me.—Yours, etc.,

PATRIOTIC.