MR CHARLES LEWIS'S OPINION.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11748, 24 November 1903, Page 8

MR CHARLES LEWIS'S OPINION.

Mr Charles Lewis, asked whether the Premier's power seemed to him to be decreasing, replied: —"Tlie past session is the worst tlie Premier ever had. He himself confesses that he-has never had such an unsatisfactory team to drive." On Friday afternoon, said Mr Lewis, Mr Massey stated that he had broken all existing record, by voting successfully against the Premier on four successive divisions. Tbe Opposition had given Mr -eddon about 44 to 23 on four divisions running, in connection with the attempt to give Westland, in the matter of the National Scholarships, about ten or twelve tines as much as to any other district in the colony. Tlie Supplementary Estimatemight easily have gone through on Saturday, but that the Government introduced the Railway Authorisations Bill, in which the usual favouritism of Westland appeared, and thereby opened up what threatened to be an interminable debate on the North Island v Sofcth question. After this had gone on for some time, The Government dropped the measure, and took on a Maori Lands Rating Bill, tp which the native membera were in determined opposition. It was persistence hi these Bills that occasioned the delay in the appearance of the Estimates. As for the statement that the printing office was responsible, Mr Lewis's copy, at any rate, was not fresh from the printing offioe, but was dry and crisp. _lte oft reported statement that nothing but "piffle" had been transacted was endorsed, Mr j Lewis continued, by the staunchest of the Premier'- supporters. After the Industries and Commerce Committee had devoted weeks to a consideration of Mr Seddon V meat--hops scheme, the Flour Trust, and cognate matters, the Preferential Trade Bin was introduced at a time which rendered it impossible for the Committee to .consider the measure, or call evidence of those interested. Yet there never was a Bill in the history of the present party which offered so much scope for investigation. There was an intense feeling of resentment against th- Premier, and each rebuff he met with was gratifying to a considerable section of his own party. For som# reason or other the presence of Mr Seddon was a signal for chaos and delay. The House waa within an aoe of getting a native Bill through, when the Premier made hia appearance. Audible sighs of resignation went up from the Houoe, and business which ought to have taken five or six minutes took as many hours to complete. The Premier seemed unable to appreciate the difference between leading and driving, but the Hoiise, at the end of the session just conclude-, was quick to recognise the difference. The Opposition, considering their numerical weakness, were very well satisfied with the, result of tlie session, and at their final meeting arrangements were made for platform work during the recess.

The Premier's practice of repeatedly calling for divisions on his own Bills, MrLewis stated, would some day prove to be a two-edged weapon to him. It was certainly a practice which was unknown in any other Parliament in the world.