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Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1830, 31 July 1891, Page 2

The numerical reduction of the House of Representatives from 95 to 74 members has certainly not lessened its talking power, nor has it. as was anticipate d by many, improved the mental calibre of members as a whole. Perhaps, however, the firstuamt'd is a leasonable sequence of the latter weakness. But, in face of the cry of retrenchment and economy, and of the fact of having only a few months ago drawn an honorarium of £l5O each for less than a week's diversion on the formation of a new Cabinet, anil of not having passed a single Act or completed any useful work after nearly two months' sitting, we venture to say that n<>ne but their most blatant supporters ever expected the Government would have the effrontery to bring in a bill for a fixed honorarium of £240 (some memliers urge.l that it be £300) a year, payable monthly, and uuattachalde hy any court of law. Had the Government shown any thing for its money there might have been some de r ence. but it ha-i done, ami is attempting to do, more b irm than uood. The Labor representatives and some of the new members have, however, already tasted "blood," and there is little doubt that this most objectionable measure will be passed—and aft", rth it, as a natur il conseq letice, the screws of Ministers will be raised. The proceeding is a most iniquitous one, and is proof of how far the Ballanck Ministry will go to please their following iu order to keep their seats. Nevertheless, there is a day of reckoning even though it is deferred until the next general election.