CURRENT TOPICS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1162, 8 June 1894, Page 19

CURRENT TOPICS.

TIIF TUAPEKA SEAT.

It is very possible that there will be a keen contest, and very probable that Mr Scobie Mackenzie will be one of tho candidates. But it is not equally probable that tin? latter gentleman will be at the head of tho poll. He is not a power outside of his old district, and he has not that stature as a colonial politician which is necessary when a stranger wishes to impress a community. He has very showy Parliamentary qualities, he makes amusing speeches, ho develops wonderful industry, and ho is very persistent in anything ho takes up. All these things make irresistible a claim founded on somo great record of public service. But that is the very sort of record which Mr Scobie Mackenzie has not made. We aro reminded that he has taken his late defeat with a good grace. That is quite true, for Mr Scobie Mackenzie always understood tho old, wholesome rule that a man who fights must alwayi bo able to take punishment. Wo cannot see, however, that this quality will give him any stronger hold on tho constituency of Tuapoka, or any other. As a matter of fact, tho capacity for standing punishment is too general to bo remarkable. Tho broad fact is that the Tuapeka constituency voted on the Government side at the general election, and is therefore not likely to go the other way now when there has been no session of Parliament. Still less is it likely to accept one of the most pronounced opponents of the Goverment. The Otago Central is not likel} to help Mr Scobie Mackenzie, because Tuapeka is just tho very constituency of all others which is likely to hate tho Otago Central. The fact that it accepted Mr Pyko speaks volumes for the determination of Tuapeka to support tho Government and its policy. It will take that policy in spito of the Otago Central, but it will not take the Opposition with that handicap.

SCOBIE UPON THOMAS.

A smart writer in a Dunodin paper (Star) has been driven into many speculations by the gift of a Yost typewriter to Mr Scobie Mackenzie some time ago. As that gentleman is fertile as well as enterprising; as he has a caustic wit and the shrewdness of his nativo country, the line was suggestive. What might not Scobie say about anything ? Following out that line the writer imagined some rather racy material. From the mass we pick out a letter supposed to have been addressed to Mr Thomas Mackenzie, which as a specimen of sharp criticism, under cover of the friendly mantle of candour, which belongs exclusively to burlesque, makes remarkably lively reading:— Thos. M—k—zie, Esq., M.H.R., B-lolu—a. My Dear Tom,—l am glad you liked my lecture on "Political Leaders," and as for any jokes that may be scattered through it, if you can work them up for your speeches, as you say you can, you are quite welcome for me. You won't mind my saying, however—strictly between ourselves —that joking is not quite in your line, so you have to be cautious , There is no danger of tho jokes spoiling your speeches, of course, but your speeches might easily spoil my jokes. I think, myself, your best lino is finance. You don't know much about it, it is true, but, then, neither does anybody else in the House—Joe. Ward least of all; Ed that you are quito safe. You ask me for a list of subjects on which you could attack tho Government during the session. I should require a new supply of foolscap (this is a kind of paper, and is not,!l assure yew, a sly hit at yourself) to make out a complete list. Of course you have got the depression, the Upper House appointments, the conversion operations, and big things of that sort. But my own habit has always been to choose one or two subjects that are light in hand, and admit of dramatic action and effect, and to run them hard. Your features are unfortunately not very mobile and expressive. Try and work up a look of strong indignation and scorn when you are on these subjects. It is very effective. I can't givo you tho list you ask for of all the strongest of my adjectives, but Reeves used to sum them up in replying, so you'll find them in his speeches. If Steward is in the Chair, you can use thorn to any extent; but if they stick O'Rorko there you'll have to bo mighty careful. I agree with you that Newman will spoil everything if he can't be made to hold his tongue. Don't forget to practise the scorn and indignation business. —if ours truly, SCO—IE M—K—ZIB.

THE STATUTE LAW OF THE COLONY.

Nothing i. 3 more agreeable to the cheap Jack politicians than to denounce the enormous bulk of the statute law of this unfortunate country. They count the Acts passed at the end of each session, they sneer at the fearful waste of time, paper, primers' ink and everthing valuable and valueless, including their own criticism. They conclude that we want no Parliament. " Run this country with one good business man, sir. Give him a liberal salary and carte blanclie. It's your only salvation." We should like to bear them after five years of the " business man." By the way, how many years have wo had of the "business man" in disguise? Bat talking of the bulk of the statutes, the fact is that the bulk is very small; the whole fifty years' law—statutes or ordnances —being bound up in Mr Badger's four excellent volumes, and the Statute Book of 1893. This bulk, consolidations, which are tried every year, will further tend to keep down. This year, for example, there is the consolidation of the Public Works Act which will make a #>nsiderable reduction*