The Press. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1902. THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11394, 3 October 1902, Page 4

The Press. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1902. THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

Interest in politics, -which daring the session hae been languid to a degree probably unparalleled in our history, shows distinct sigca of revival as tho Parliament lies a-dying. Sir W. R. Russell, in the interview- -which -we publish to-day, gives expression to a view -which is very widclv bold when he speaks of the probability of the Premier retiring from New Zealand politics, and betaking himself to South Africa, where we have no doribt he -will find some career less uncertain, lees harassing, and it may even be more lucrative, although oa this point -we do not know that Mr Seddon at present has any very strong grounds of complaint. With Mr Seddoo's departure the political situation would be entirely changed. Sir Joseph Ward TTOuld naturally succeed to the leadership, but, as tie Ministerial journal in Wellington poiois out, he oonld hardly go to tli? com.try witi the rest of the Ministry as at prssent constituted. There are at Ka>t two very effete and incapable n>:-ir.be: s of the crew who would have to be thrown ovciboaid to prevent the Ministerial ship from swamping. But whether Mr Scddt/a retires or not, we agree with Sir William Russell that in the coming

elections public opinion will resist on a real'y effective Opposition being retnrne-d to the new House. It will be differently constituted from the old Opposition party, and will probably comprise some of tiie more enlightened and patriotic

members on both sides of the Howe. There are many sitting on the Ministerial benches at this moment who are seriouly conc-intj «t -..ii i'-i-ut into which our one-Dc.-n '.yr.'in *■'■ • A-cmir.ent has led usT.Tcy ?.c? "h;it iinances are drifting into a rcTKlititn. and that the position :s a ! '-he more aiarmicg from the fact that thi Government hare taken the expenditure ■cr.t'Hy out of the control of tbe House, and nn d?.il ivj:h it as they like, without r '4f" '" ! ° {afeguardfi formerly secured by .the Audit. At present the hands vi t"ur*e irumbers are tied by their party "We. cannot believe, however, that when their bonds are cut by the dissolution, they will willingly sacrifice the interests of the country, and go back again under the same yoke. There are no burning questions of legislation to ba decided at the next election. The matter of administration has become of paramount importance, and tbe first essential to the well-being of the colony is the building up of a capable and patriotic fy>po?ition, strong enough to keep the Government in check.