The Hastings Standard Published Daily. SATURDAY, DEC. 5, 1896. THE NEW PARLIAMENT.

Hastings Standard, Issue 189, 5 December 1896, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily.

SATURDAY, DEC. 5, 1896. THE NEW PARLIAMENT.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the Rood that we can do.

At last the electioneering turmoil is over, and the voice of the country has been given, the result being a gain of eight votes to the Opposition. A glimpse at the list of successful candidates will show that the country is to be complimented on its choice, and it is safe to assert that the thirteenth Parliament of New Zealand is as good as, if not better than, any of its predecessors. The last election was a notable one in one respect—the introduction of the professional politician. This year he is conspicuous by his absence. The country can well spare Messrs McLachlan and Mackintosh, and the forced retirement of Br Newman. Messrs Earnshaw, Carnell, and others bring out men of stronger calibre. Captain Russell has bis forces considerably strengthened by the return of the Hon. W. Rolleston, the Hon. G. F. Richardson, and Mr Scobie Mackenzie. Hawke's Bay gave a solid vote against the Government, while Westland was just as strongly in favor of Mr Seddon as ever it was. It must be confessed that while it was thought that the leader of the Opposition would poll strongly in Hawke's Bay very few of even his most ardent supporter were prepared for a majority at every polling booth. The local election may be termed a model one, for it was remarkable for the good-feeling which prevailed throughout between the supporters of the two candidates. Mr

Fraser fouglit nobly against overwhelming odds, and his speech last night reflected the greatest credit 011 a young New Zealander who will no doubt make his mark in politics at some future time. Captain Russell polled heavily right throughout the district, and his popularity was at its height when the numbers were announced last evening. The defeat of Mr Cornell was by no means a surprise, as the Napier photographer by his actions during the past three sessions did not lead his supporters to hope that his footprints would be left on the sands of Parliament. He had made one roup during his brief political career — the second reading of the Abolition of the Totalisator had been carried on his recommendation, -- but beyond this his career had by 110 means been a brilliant one. Mr C. Mall lias retired from \\ aipawa in favor of Mr George Hunter ; and the new seat at Paliiatua has to the surprise of many been won with the aid of the Government by Mr John O'Meara, a gentleman likely to prove an acquisition to the party. Labor polled strongly in Wellington City, Mr John llutcheson leading the poll with a .substantial majority. Fnder the wing of the Premier, Mr George Fisher re-enters the political arena. Ilis old friend of the Middle Party, Mr 11. S. Fish, is also brought back to polities by his admirers in Dunedin City, Among the recruits are Messrs T. M. Wilford, J. J. Holland, J. Bollard, 11. I'.rown, 11. A. Field, G. Carson, K. G Allen, and M. Gilfedder, till of whom have done good work in their preliminaries. Altogether it will be admitted that the country has done well by clipping the wings of the Liberal Party. The next best thing to a strong Government is a strong Opposition, and the legislation of the next three years is likely to be a great improvement on that of previous Parliaments. The Government bus been too powerful during the last three years and they are likely to benelit by having a strong curb rmt 011 their actions. It is not at all probable that the occassional disgraceful scenes which have tended to lower the tone of the last Parliament of New Zealand will be allowed to prevail in the thirteenth Parliament; and on the whole the electors are to be congratulated on their choice of representatives.