The Ensign. GORE: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22. TRUST THE PEOPLE.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1414, 22 November 1904, Page 2

The Ensign. GORE: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22. TRUST THE PEOPLE.

It has frequently been elaimi'd, us indicative of tin; cultured state of public thought in the colony, that the people of New Zealand are probably among the most enlightened in the world in regard to political questions. An impression is thus conveyed to outside communities (and it invariably excites their envy) that we are closely in touch with all that is passing- in the minds of our legislators—that an intense affinity subsists between the two classes, the continued existence of which is constantly manifested in the passing of laws for ihe operation of whieh all are prepared. Upon such a fallacious theory the demand for an application of the principles of a general and comprehensive referendum is based, the assumption being of course that every man and woman having attained to years of discretion is fully qualified :to render definite assistance iu shaping the destinies of the colony. Jill this boasted knowledge, however, and all this close attention to legislative details, is largely a delusion and a snare. Our people have ceased to follow thi' course of Parliamentary events with even the smallest degree of intelligence. Parliament and people have become divorced by a retrogressive process of subverting U 1( . adjuncts of public administration to the ourely personal interests of private individuals. Parliament is no longer looked up to as expressing the highest intelligence of the country. Jn every detail of experimental legislation the community, from long habit, reads first between the lines to ascertain what section of the Oovermnenfs proteges is to be benefited. The natural result is the breeding of distrust and suspicion and the establishment in the minds of ihe people of a profound contempt for all thai may be accomplished in the direction of law-making, oilier (lian that of a purely mechanical character. So far from the public of New Zealand taking any interest in what is passing in Parliament, the densest ignorance and grossest heedlessness exist. This is the secret of the Government's wonderful power. Against even its most extravagant llights of socialistic legislation not one protesting voice is raised, until too late. The Press of New Zealand is mos( assiduous in the e'fort to inform the public what is passing during each session, but its instructions and warnings an- unheeded as being the outcome of a jaundiced oarty view. The community has lost the power to think politically for itself : so that, at all times, it is an easy prey to the designs of an unscrupulous and self-seeking Administration. The great outcry now being made against the Shops and Offices Amendment Act affords a vivid illustration of what is co'il-ide.l. Warnings were freely given duriig the passage of the measure as to its undesirable effects if brought into law, but these fell upon deaf ears. If they were observed at all they were disregarded, overcome by that happy-go-lucky sentiment that somehow things " wo'dd eventually right themselves. And so the mischievous piece of law-making-was permitted to be placed upon the Statute Book. An attempt to mforce its provisions, however, has brought about something- in the nature of a revolutions. Legislators themselves do not know- the precise effect of the enactment and the trading public is utterly bewildered to understand why sneh ;, blow should have been inflicted. The lesson of the whole episode is an instructive

one. The public has learned that it has trusted tho Government beyond the bounds of common sense and reason, and the Government has taken advantage of the situation to institute a law comparable only with the curfew system of olden days. It may bo that this latest freak of mad-cup fancy will be rememSered against Mr Seddon and his following when ll,e general elections come round again. Tho probabilities are, however, by that time, a soporific will have been administered and the indignation now so widely evident will have bi'en lulled to sleep, its place occupied by nothing but perfervid admiration for the Liberal Government and all its works.