OPEN COLUMN.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11131, 25 January 1899, Page 4

OPEN COLUMN.

The editor does not hold himself responsible for opinions expressed by correspondents. THE OPPOSITION LEADEKS. Sib, — Your leader this morning, calling upon the Opposition to do their duty, is in niy opinion, not a day too soon. For the last XO or 12 years, it must, I think, be apparent to moat people that we have not had an Opposition which justifies its existence. Prom some cause or other, which is difficult to account for, our Opposition leaders absolutely decline to lead. The Opposition should, in my opinion, consider that they have a duty to the country, and that they are exnected to do that duty. We have had rather too muoh of the contention that it is not the duty of the Opposition to disclose its polioy, "that the physician does not prescribe till he is called in." Of course he does not, but the positions are not analagous. There cannot bo a doubt that in tho meantime tho Opposition havo so far hidden their policy, if they havo one, that a great many electors aro afraid they might be jumping from tho frying pan into the fire. Where have the leaders of the Opposition been since tho House rose? Echo answers "Where?" They certainly havo not in any sense justified their position. There are many who consider that golden opportunities have been wasted. Aro our Opposition leaders afraid to attempt to prick the political bladders which have formed a large part of the policy of the present Government ? Are they afraid to tell the people where some of the most puffed-up legislation of tho pa* fow years is leading them, lost thuy might run a risk of losing votos? Aro they satisflod that the taxing sohoines of the Govornmont are fair and honost ; that the land administration is the bost for the colony ; that the gross extravagances of late are justifiable ; that tho public works of the colony aro being conducted satisfactorily ? If they ever expert to succeed and hold the roigns of Government for any time they mu6t run their flag up mast high ; they must put a policy before tho ctuntry which will coinmond itself to the electors, and thoy must liocomo loaders in roalily, not in miuiu only. At present, and for the last ten years, the country has, in my opinion, suffered severely by the letting things drift sort of policy. Surely a

better opening for a leader has never existed, and it k to be hoped that - our so-called leaders will recognise that the duty of a leader is to lead, not lag behind his army. The army is, I believe, a large and active one, with J plenty of pluck and discretion, but it is placed in an awkward position by those who, having been selected for certain positions, decline to assume them, and j they cannot expect to succeed while their leaders, if they have a policy, are afraid to let anyone see it. That, in my opinion, is not the way to lead to victory. The Opposition leaders must waVe up from the "Kip Van Winkle" sleep, and either lead or follow the example of Sir W. Vernon Harcourt and Mr John Mprley in the Old Country. The duty of a party leader is, I conceive, to lead, and the duty of his party is to follow. But how can the party follow when the leaders will not lead ? — I am, &c, F. Sutton. Napier, January 24th, 1899.