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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5944, 24 September 1890, Page 2

I'OBTUNATELY for tlio electors of Wanganui they are not dependent on Mr Eallanoe or their evening Horald for political information. Mr Ballauuo addressed thorn lust night, and from the summary of his speech as telegraphed it would appear that once again he hae exerted himself to muko black look white. Mr Balance's speeches have always the samo ring in thorn; while his supremo sense of self-satisfaction gives color to the impression that it in impossible for Lini to sco things as others aeo "them. Tα most peoplo it must beoui extraordinary tha' ho can view the proceeding* of last session with any other feeling but that of mortification ftbd disgust. But no; although he is largely to blame for bringing the last Parliament into public contempt, ho gaily goes before hie constituents and takes credit to lumsalt for doing what nine-tenths of the people of Aew Zealund condemn. He cannot help bomg crooked-minded wo must charitably suppose, otherwise no man should be more ashamed of himself than tho member tor Wauganui. Hi ß explanation of the course tie Opposition took shews from what [ a wrong stand pomt ho regards his public duty, iho "Skinflints" belonged to tho Government wdo of the House; it never occurred to tho Opposition to take the determined attitude which they did and it was entirely their doing which forced Ministers to promise a roduotion of £50 000 on thoir estimates. That promise was given, and .would him, faithfully fuffilled! But it plensed the Opposition to sten'in and contort item by item of tho Estimates till reductions were made to tho extent of eomo £4-1,000. Many of the reductions were very wrong, and will mfliut much hardship, while others will put tho country to htavv -expense for compensation t.o dismissed officers. It is doubtful whatht-v the colony in the end will save v penny piece by the reductions. If -Miuistoru hud been alto wed to carry out their promise some economical reforms would have been eifectud which would have been of substantial and permanent value. What tho Opposition brought about was mischiefouß interference in matters

which its members did not understand. However, Mr Ballance canuot be expected to see this, but no doubt his audience did. It' ia equally impossible for him to sco that so far from the Opposition retaining their confidence in him they never had any. From the uiomeut Mr Ballance assumed the lead his following have been without a leader. The Opposition all through the pieco have aoted like a pack of hungry wolves chat-ing the Treasury sleigh, and the only distinction that Mr Ballance acquired was that he mas more famished for office than the others. The Alpha and Ometra of Mr Ballance's political creed is " Get Office."