THE APPROACHING SESSION.

Evening Star, Issue 5592, 9 February 1881, Page 1

THE APPROACHING SESSION.

♦ The time is fast approaching when the opposing political parties, or rather such representatives of political parties as exist in this Colony, will be sharpening their swords and burnishing their armor for the ensuing Parliamentarycampaign. The financial year ends on March 31. By the end of the following month the Treasury will possibly have made up their accounts, so that in May, if Ministers so determine, Parliament might meet for the despatch of business. There are indications sufficiently demonstrative to the effect that in view of the general election at the end of this year the scattered forces of the old Grey party will endeavor to agree in regard to some bond of union which will give them, as an Opposition, strength and coherence ; and it is no secret that many caucuses of Southern members have already been held at "which the basis of a disiincV policy has been discussed, and the very grave question considered as to the selection of a leader. Great difficulties naturally present themselves in regard to framing a platform ; not the least of which is the recognised fact that the popular " planks" have already been appropriated by Ministers. If we refer back to the oelebrated speech of Mr Stout at the Queen Theatre, when he sketched out the " good intentions " of the Grey Ministry, which went the way of most good intentions in paving the court-yaids of Hade»», it is instructive in the present political situation to note that all the reforms therein elaborated have been, or are hi the course of being, given effect to by the present Cabinet. They have thus proved themselves to possess not only the will but the power to allow the fullest possible development to the constitutional rights and privileges of. the people, in the well-assured confidence that true liberty and stable government will be thus conserved. Electoral reform is no longer an idea, reserved as a piece de resLlancs for the stump and the hustings. It is an accomplished fact; and if those who have been enfranchised by the Qualification of Eleetors Act, 1879, do not as a body care to take the little trouble necessary to place their names on the rolls, it is not in default of the power to do so, but a wilful abrogation of their duties as citizens. The scheme of electoral reform is by some said to be incomplete, because there has been, as yet no readjustment of the representation. This in a rapidly-progres-sing community must, from the necessities of the case, be periodical ; and the division of the Colony into electoral districts cannot therefore be permanently arranged; nor, exeept in resppct to principle, can Buch adjustment hold place in the electoral system. The Representative Bill introduced last session by the Premier, which could not be proceeded with in the face of the obstructive tactics of members opposed to the Government, embodies as closely as is consistent with circumstances the principles laid down in the Constitution Act ; and, with a few amendments in matteri of detail, would, we believe, give equitable representation to all persons, classes, and interests. The Bill will, as a matter of course, without material alteration, be brought in early next session, and we think it will puzzle the Opposition to frame an alternative measure even presumably more liberal. Administrative reform was not only one of Mr Stout's famous three planks, but from the time of their accession to office until they threw off the mask, and, having effected their immediate purposes, defied public opinion, was the great " stump " card of the " Liberal" party. Sir Georgb Grey and his colleagues were going to do all soita of wonderful things with the Civil Service ; the corrupt exercise of patronage was to cease at once and for ever; and economy to the extent of tens of thousands of poundß in the annual ordinary expenditure was to be effected. Everybody knows that this «•' mountain in labor" did not even bring forth "a ridiculous mouss." There was no attempt at retrenchment, but, on the contrary, new departments were organised and highly-paid offices created, whilst waste and extravagance ran riot throughout the public service. The present Ministry had to face the consequences of all this, as well of the utterly reckless hypothecation of the last loan, which left little money available for the prosecution of public works already in progress. They did not waste their energies in stumping the country, but applied themselves to the consideration of the financial exigencies of the State, and the means of restoring a sound state of things. A clean breast was made to Parliament, distinct authority obtained for radical retrenchment, and then without delay the work, laborious and unthanklul in the extreme, was set about in a practical manner. Administrative reform, as well as electoral reform, if not altogether and exactly complete, is now an accomplished fact. Neither of these planks, therefore, can well strve the purpose of the new Opposition platform. Judicial reform was, if we recollect aright, the third plank on which Mr Stout and his eolleaguee took their stand. To do the late Attorney-General justice, he did initiate certain useful measures—the Administration Act, for instance, which has since become law; but he did not touch those matters in connection with the practice and administration of the law in which the people are mainly interested, spA which come within practical and daily experience. The present Government have autho-

rise 4 a Commission to inquire into the whole subject of the judicial system and report as to what changes are desirable in the interests of the community generally. Resolutions passed by the Commission have lately been made public, which we shall j take an opportunity hereafter of dis-1 cussing ; suffice it now to say that the recommendations seem to be in the direebion of common sense and economy. From what we have said it is sufficiently evident that the Opposition will have to take tip entirely new ground in framing a policy on which they may take their stand in the House of Representatives, and subsequently go to the country. Reduction of taxation would of course be popular, but in this matter the Government are in the position to "to take up the running," a?, if the financial position of the Colony admits of any material reduction of the burthens of the people, the Colonial Treasurer will hardly fail to play so excellent a card in the Financial Statement. If, on the contrary, he is unable with prudence to make any such proposition, we take it that he will have such sound reasons to give that there can be no reasonable gainsaying. Native affair*, again, can hardly give a chance of anything beyond the barest criticism. Ministers have been and are simply carrying out the policy distinctly approved by Parliament, nor is there any reason to suppose that this will not prove fairly successful— evidence, at least, tends that way at present. The conviction almost forces itself on the mind that the members opposed to the Government are putting the cart before the hors* in endeavoring to settle a policy before they have determined on a leader. What is wanted is rather a man given to generalisation and skilful in attaek than a politician with principles, defined aims, and aspirations. If they can agree on the only sensible course in their own interests, and can induce Sir George Grey to forget the scurvy treatment of the past two or three years, they may give Ministers considerable trouble during the session; whilst tho eloquent denunciations of Sir Giorge, and the imposing fabric of misrepresentation which he would raise, might giv« a chance to the " Liberal" party with the more igaorant constituencies.