THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1899.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11148, 22 August 1899, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1899.

It can scarcely be said that business in Parliament is making any progress. The sitting on Friday was largely occupied by a personal matter, affecting Captain Russell. Ministers cannot find much to attack Captain Russell upon. One complaint upon the part of his own supporters is that he will never condescend to the vulgarisms and abuse of those who occupy the Ministerial benches. But at length he has been stirred to " righteous indignation," and when Ministers view the result we do not think they are likely to attempt again to arouse the Leader of the Opposition by a personal attack. Some 30 years ago Captain Russell's father had a land claim at Hawke's Bay. sir Donald McLean, who was then a Minister, and who knew all the circumstances, and who could not be accused of any personal desire to assist the Russells, introduced a Bill for the purpose of settling the dispute. The Bill passed, and what Ministers now say is that that settlement was wrongful, and that Captain Russell is enjoying the fruits of such a transaction. We do not wonder in the circumstances that Captain Russell should feel indignant. It is not only that his own honour is impeached, but that of his father. No son is worth, anything who does not feel more indignant at any attack upon his father's honour than upon his own. The matter has ended in the meantime by Ministers withdrawing all imputations upon the Russells.

But in the meantime the business of the colony is making no progress. The House cannot afford a few hotli's to discuss the greatest question now in the public mind, that of federation. That question is, indeed, so important that, if necessary, days should be devoted to it, bo that public opinion might be educated. Another most important question for the colony, and especially for this' part of it, is the opening up and settlement- of those portions of the province of Auckland which have been permitted to lie idle, while the rest of che colony has been pushed forward. But nothing is done. Under the stimulus, we believe, of our frequent references to the subject, certain road works' are in hand in the King Country. ' • But instead of pushing forward vigorously their land purchase : operations, the' Government have intimated that they are about to " taper off" with these. They will leave the. country- securely

locked up. They will not purchase land themselves for settlement, and the purchase by Europeans direct from the natives will be left in a state of prohibition, as it is in now. And while thiß elaborate preparation is being made for keeping waste a large portion of the province of Auckland, the machinery for the purchase of improved estates in the South is to be maintained in active operation. Then we have the Main Trunk railway. What the proposals of the Government on that subject will be, we shall see by-and-bye, we suppose. But in the meantime nothing is being clone to alter the state of affairs which has obtained for some years. The line is still being rapidly constructed at the "Wellington end, and will go on as far as it can bring benefit to Wellington. But at the Auckland end what is being done is a mere farce. Ministers have lately mooted the possibility of the best line being by Awakino. Not that they have any intention of commencing work on that line, as, indeed, they are not legally authorised to do, but it would, they hops, serve to divert some of the Auckland people from bothering them about being more active on the Central line. The question of railway communication through the d'stvict to the North of Auckland ought also to be settled. A vigorous agitation on this subject has lately commenced, and we hope it will be maintained. These are most important questions for tins part of the colony, and something ought to be done this session. But, judging by the rate at which business is proceeding, they are not likely to be reached before November. Parliament has now been sitting about two months, and scarcely a beginning has been made with the pressing busin ess.