THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1899.

Grey River Argus, Volume LVII, Issue 10297, 31 May 1899, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY , MA V 31, 1899.

Government by party has been developed into something like, a fine art in this colony of late years. What our politics would be if there were no fetish of party we are not prepared to say; but as it is, with party tactics as we see them practised through jut. the colony, the tendency ia to obliterate the independence of opinion and thei individuality of the elector. . He is assailed by so many influences that he conies to regard himself, in a manner of speaking, as the worst kind of a traitor ii" he isj not prepared to sink his right of private judgment in the interests of his party. The thoroughgoing party man feels that he ought "to be as Ipyal and devot d to his leade s and their .sinbbo!eihs as the soldier of the line is to his efficers and colors; He- feels bound to follow them any-; where : "Hfe not to reason why." But militarism, and politics aie not alike,, and "the same principles should not govern bothy Private judgment and tl.e light of discussion are the very essence of things political, while the same principifl 1 applied to matters of a militlary natuie would be followed by confusion; chaos^ and ruin/ But the aim of leaders in politics is invariably to guide their followers on military principles in asf^rasit is possible to do. Occasions, no doubt, arise that justify tl c acquiescence in some matters .tjiat are not approved ot on the plea of the general gooJ ; but tHe principle iff" a dangerous one to adhere to blindly, Jand is- too often abused. In our system of Party Goyernment we have not only slavishly followed the general method adapted '"n the old country, but; we.;s.pmetime3- succeed in out-doing our model- Still,' notwiths anding all the drilling and other devices to maintain paity solidarity a time inevitably comes to' all political parties when they \fall to piece* from some unforse:n cause, just as the Liberal Party did at Home under Mr Gladstone and as the Conservatives are rapidly weakening now under Lord Salisbury. We have heard a great deal of late of. the party organisation of the Oppositionists ; and Mr Seddon has made good capital of Captain Russell's remark at the Wairarapa that if they hoped to accomplish anything against the Government the must organise and pub their hands into their breeche3 pockets. Litte-rly the fading men of the Opposition have shown that they have taken their le ders advioe to some 'extent at least, and have been appearing upon public platforms much/ moie frequently than had been their custom in previous years. We also see that Mr Seddon recognises the efficacy of the new tactics by the^ industrious way inwhich he is following up Captain Russell in order to countervail his efforts. But, if there is organisation on. the one eide, there seems to be no labk of it ori the ; other. The New Z aland Herald publishes a secret party circular from the Liberal camp, on behalf of the party at the next election. The particu'ar circular, our contemporary s >ys, was. sent to a resident in the district at present represented by an Oppositionist, and runs as follows — -■".•■■■■•■.

THE LIBERAL AND LABOUR FEDERATION OF

NKW ZEALAND

: Wellington,; April 24ri899p ■ Dear Sir, —You have beery mentioned to me as a firm friend of the Liberal party, who would probably be willing to assist in organising the district in which ,you reside.

I enclose a copy of the constitution j from it you will see that it is proposed to form an organisation in the district round each polling place. Will you please call « meeting of staunch friends and go over the constitution with a view to holding' a meeting to form a polling district branch. I think you will find the constitution clear but I" shall be happy to explain any difficulty that may arise.

. lam ■ ; writing to someone near each polling place in your electorate. If steps are taken to form these polling district branches according to the consiifcufcijn, I shall be prepared to attend a meeting of the general. committee at the most convenient centre,- or, if necessary, centres. Later on I shall be happy to visit any polling district where I should be of any use. I shall be glad to receive any suggestions from members of the federation, and any subject matter for printing in leaflet or pamphlet form will receive every consideration and attention.

The subscription has been made one shilling in order that no one may be prevented from joining. The_ federation embraces both men and women.

I trust you will see your way to assist in organising your locality, relying upon me for any assistance that I can give to make the organisation of your district perfect. It is proposed that the polling district

branches b« called by numbers, preceded by the name of the polling districts. The number is arrived at by .estimating the residents qualified to vote living nearest to the polling place, and dividing the number by 2. The quotient should be the number. . .' Hoping to make your personal acquiin- ' tance before leng, — I am, dear sir, ydurs faithfully, Arthur Edwards ■"' i Organising .Secretary. \ J With the circular which we have quoted aboy.e in full is sent a copy of the " Provisional Constitution" of the -, Federation. In this the objects are stated to be :— .^ (a) To organise and solidify the Liberal and Labour party in New Zealand; (b) To promote Liberal legislation and to assist the general progress of the Liberal cause;" ;■/•: ;..-.. •. , . ; : .. '. . .. r .' .;■;. f . (c) Tp draw up a platform «■-•,/■■ (d) When necessary, to provide funds to assist the Liberal cause ; r ; | (c) To arrange for the delivery of addressesa nd lectures ; . ' '■■ (f) To assist the formation of , clubs ; (g) To afford information to members and to assist them in any way in its power; (h) To supply members with literature supporting the object of the Federation. It will be readily seen from the foregoing that a very complete plan of cam paign for the coming general election has been drawn up that will puzzle the Opposition junto to cope with. It does not appear that the Liberal political programme has yet been properiy formulated ; but after . Mr Seddon's recent speeches we are l^d to expect one very shortly that will differ somewhat from the programme issued a sfiort times ago at Christchurch. The orgauising council asks Wry properly in . a party leaflet is^ed recently .r---t: Dp' you wish the^e measiites to be repjealed, or defeated by bad administrationir Are t&re no -niofe r^fprms wanted, or have we reached perfectiori in Legislation ? " Evidently the r.ext eleetiorivis brthgpreparedifor as if it is to be a life or death struggle, with • the

party in power.