A MODEST MEMBER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12531, 19 June 1901, Page 6

A MODEST MEMBER.

The modest representative of a modest constituency, Mr R. H. Rhodes has .created no great stir during his brief experience as a Parliamentarian. W© are afraid that his constituency does not worry him with work, and his own disposition rather inclines him to ■ treat politics as a recreation. As a new member h© naturally found a great , deal to interest him' in the work of the session, and it ds just possible that when the novelty wears off we shall find him following the example of Mr Charles Lewis. Precisely why he is an Oppositionist is not very clear, and he does not seem t'o have given any reason in his speech at Akarc.a the other night. He went so far as to say that there was no organised Opposition, and that he occasionally voted for the Government,- and would do so again; and, on the whole, we regard him as quite a possible sup? porter of the Elective Executive/ If the mere contemplation of such a change does not do violence to his Conservative instincts, Mr .'Rhodes .may find in this reform a solution considerable number of the difficulties of party government. When Mr Ell’s new Conservative Party is formed from a portion of Mr Seddon’s (following and the old Opposition, Mr Rhodes will assuredly, be a member of it. But he will never be a strong party man. Probably he might be classed qs an “ Independent Conservative,” only all Conservatives are independent just now. If his' political views were more' decided he would l probably lose something of the great personal popularity which won him -Ms election, and we should hardly -welcome the change. The constituency shows no marked signs of discontent. It is true that a half-hearted agitation- for railway communication with 'the outside world has been in progress in Akaxoa for some time, but the people are not very much in earnest, and we really do toot know what the charming, drowsy, little seaside resort would do with a railway if it had one. Our ignorance on the point is excusable, because no one seems to have' shown that the railway extension would help Akaroa. The other local issue of importance to the constituency is the drainage of the lake flats. The Government -Las already promised substantial assistance for this work, and with a little energy on the part of the local bodies concerned, the whole trouble would disappear. The constituency, however, will have to display,a good deal more-enthusiasm if it is .to figure at all prominently in the prdpsals .of the Minister of Public Works.