Evening Post.

Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 109, 1 June 1885, Page 2

Evening Post.

MONDAY, JUNE 1, 1885. MR. BRYCE'S SPEECH. ♦ Me. Bbyoe's speech at Waverley, on Saturday night, appears to have been the most peevish and bilious of tho many pre-ses-sional addresses lately delivered. The cold shades of oppositiondo not appear tostrit Mr. Bbycb's health. He began by recalling the fact that when he lost addressed bis auditors he was basking in the sunshiuo of power. The recollection of deported joys seems to have been too much for him, the contrast 'tween thon and now, too great. Although like Lord Anoelo, Mr. Beycb " scarce confesssea that his blood flows, or that his appetite is more to bread than stone, ' ' yet it is very evident from bis Saturday night's deliverance that he is not exempt from the common lot of mortals in having a liver. Nothing but an excess of bile could account for the railing accusations which he broughtagainßthißßucceßßors. That "power changes purpose" we find quite as much proof of in Mr. Bbtob's case as Lord Anoblo's conduct afforded in "Measure for Measure," although the process is rather reversed. Thus Mr. Bryce, when in office, countenanced and assisted in doing exactly what he condemns in his successors. The purchase of the district railways was a measure contemplated by Major Atkinson's Ministry, and tho principle of which was defended- by Major Atkinson. In like manner the Ministry of which Mr. Beycb was a member contracted with the Welling-ton-Manawatu Railway Company on almost precisely the same lines in regard to land grants, whichMrßßYCEsostronglycondemns the Government for following in the case of the East and West Coast Middle Island Railway Company. We are not at all sure that Mr. Bryce's objections to the system adopted are not perfectly sound and wellfounded, but that is not the question at present. It comes with a bad grace from a member of the Atkinson Ministry to condemn the Stout- VoaEL Ministry for following their own example. If Mr. Bbycb really meant what he now says about the North Island Trunk Railway, we can only express our deep thankfulness for the change of Ministry wnioh deprived him of office. Had he carried out his now declared views, the North Island Trunk Railway would still have been in the distant future, instead of in actual course of construction. It would probably have token Mr. Bryce many years to have accomplished -what he now declares most emphatically should have been done before a sod was turned. As to Mr. Beyoe's objections to kite-flying, by which we presume he means borrowing, we are aware that, oven when in office, he frequently delivered doleful jeremiads on that subject ; but his practice, and that of his colleagues, by no means coincided with his professions. They borrowed, as any Ministry must borrow if the colony is to go ahead. There is no danger in borrowing if the money is judiciously expended. It was in the latter respect that the Atkinson Government was found wanting. Surely the statesmen who are entrusted with the guidance of the destinies of this great young country should be embued with aspirations of a higher character than the digging of colonial potatoes. Mr. Bbyce may feel that he is eminently qualified to shine in honest industry of this kind, but because he is virtuous shall there be no more cakes and ale? Is the colony to keep grubbing away; concerning itself with nothing apart from its own soil, and content with mere ignoble existence P Suoh, it would appear, is Mr. Beyce'b highest idea of statesmanship. We are thankful to Bay that there are others who hold higher views, and aim at the attainment of a nobler end. Their expectations may not be fully realised, but there is far less danger of any ill results from their partial failure to reach the goal aimed at, than would certainly attend indulgence in the torpid, unambitious, and debasing policy which appears to commend itself to the mind of the member for Waitotara.