THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 13949, 4 January 1906, Page 9

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

TO THE EDITOR. ■ Sir, —I am sorry that yon considered that your space was wasted by the correspondent whose letter appeared in your Saturday’s issue. Unfortunately, there seems only too good reason for his strictures and fears, and it is to he deplored. I think, that the “Lyttelton Times ” is so well satisfied with the present political position. For many years past, as you are well aware, many of the strongest and best men on the Government side have condemned and tried to alter the maladministration and dishonest methods of the Seddon Government, and they, with many others, were hoping that the late election would result in curtailing the power of the Premier and thus compel him to adopt other methods. Their hopes have been disappointed, and I venture to think that the feeling of uneasiness (not to say alarm) that is voiced by your correspondent is shared by large numbers of the most earnest and intelligent well-wishers of the colony. As to the voucher incident, in spite of the inquiries, has the matter been satisfactorily elucidated? Certainly it has not, and the majority of the public are still dissatisfied with the position, and, as ■ has been pointed out,, the other charges made at the same time have all been proved. Again, from the point of v : ew of the Progressive Party, is the situation all we could wish? For years past that party has been advocating foremost - above other reforms as needful and. pressing, • the Elective Executive, a Referendum measure worth the name, and the mending or ending of the Upper Chamber. Are any of these proposals nearer attainment by the increased Government majority? On the contrary, they are further off. “Dumb Dogs” is an ugly name, and one is loth to use it, but it has conveyed a hunrliating truth, and now their numbers have been increased. Your correspondent has struck a note of alarm to which I trust there will be a hearty and wide response.—l am, etc., W.E.