The Hastings Standard Published Daily THURSDAY, OCT. 28, 1597. THE LEADER OF THE HOUSE.

Hastings Standard, Issue 462, 28 October 1897, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily THURSDAY, OCT. 28, 1597. THE LEADER OF THE HOUSE.

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

The strong personality of Mr Seddon, his wonderful power of guaging character, his mysterious methods of drawing people towards him and his masterful way of driving his followers while seeming to lead them, were the themes of admiration and favorable comment. We have ourselves again and again expressed our admiration for the Premier, but we with the others failed to associate with these magnificent qualities the fact that the Premier was in command of great battalions opposed to a weak and inefficient gathering of Conservatives. If this fact were weighed at the time the grand qualities for which the Premier received so much commendation would have shown themselves to be undeserved. We are led into making these references through what occurred at the caucus meeting of the Government Party on Tuesday last. Mr Seddon is beginning to show his incapacity for leadership, his inability to command ; he is still followed by a substantial majority, but the Party opposed to him is numerically stronger than it was in the last Parliament and its fighting capacity has been increased by the return of some splendid debaters. Under the stress of the new conditions Mr Seddon is unable to manoeiirve his followers, indeed he seems incapable of preserving order in his camp, and to pacify his followers he has to eat humble pie, and to conciliate the Opposition he has swallowed some bitter pills. The Left Wing has proved a terrible thorn in the side of the Premier. The Commission of enquiry into the Administration of the Police Force was wrung from him by the junior member for Christchurcb, and the concession thus obtained was in effect to admit that the administration of the Government is at fault to admit that the want of confidence expressed by members in the Government administration has some foundation in fact. Then the back down about the Sessional Committees is a distinct triumph for the Opposition. The preponderance of Government supporters on these committees is to be eliminated, and the proportion of parties is to be made fairer. Then there isas the appeal to his followers about his connection with the German Syndicate. He is eitbec

right or -wrong in accepting and retaining the position. If he is right it is no concern of any person or party; if he is wrong it is not a question for appeal to followers but a question for immediate personal consideration. If he is wrong he ought to immediately retire from a false position. The caucus meeting plainly showed the unrest and the disruptive tendency of the party and this is not the sign of successful leadership. Mr Seddon has been singularly fortunate in being supported by large majorities, none of his predecessors have been so circumstanced, at most former Premiers have been compelled to deal with the business of the country with a majority of four and less in a House of 91 ; Mr Seddon has a majority of about 14 in a House of 74, and instead of being able to crush his opponents, he is unable to keep his followers in hand and is out, general led in the skirmishing of his foes. We hope Mr Seddon will pull himself together and give us a chance to justify the very excellent opinion the people of the colony formed last year of his ability as a leader.