AS OTHERS SEE US.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1264, 21 May 1896, Page 35

AS OTHERS SEE US.

New Zealand has given an object lesson to the neighbouring colonies for some years past. Every movo of tho Ballanco and Beddcn Governments has been watched by our neighbours with absorbing interest, and conclusions of the utmost importance have been drawn. This has been patent to tho most careless readers of newspapers. Wo have been struck, however, with an article in a paper published in remote Kalgoorlio, which, wo observe, has found time, in spite of the excitement of the gold fever of Wcstralia, to make an accurate presentment of our recent history. From that article, dated April 20th, and therefore quite up to date, we make a few extracts for general information. THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN IN NEW ZEALAND. During tho Parliamentary recess in New Zealand a strong political fight is being engaged in. Mr Seddon, the Premier, is touring tho country, and strongly defending his Ministry, while Sir Robert Stout and tho Hot Captain Russell arc also travelling restlessly about, and most genuinely vilipending Mr Soddon and all his actions. It is a battlo botweon the broad Liberal Party and the capitalistic Conservative Party, and from this distant point of observation tho latter appear to bo the most strong in abuse but tho woakost in argument. THE CONSERVATIVE PAST. New Zealand was one of tho grandest, healthiest and most picturesque countries on tho face of the earth, but it was not exactly the placo for a poor man. THE IIALLANCE GOVERNMENT. But a change came o’er tho scene when Mr Ballanco, with a strong liberal policy, took tho islands by storm, swept tho polls, and sent tho Conservative Party to weep on the Opposition benches. English < apilal pretended to take fright, at ill's elm ago in polities, and the speedy r in of Nov Zealand was predicted in lugubrious language. Indeed, while smarting under defeat, many English capitalists actually wont the length of withdrawing their money, but Mr Ballance checkmated them in every possible way. He threw open the lands of the Colony, broke up the large lauded estates, stimulated the various industries, and by a masterful policy lifted Nev' Zealand out of her trouble and set her on the high road of national prosperity. At his death no was widely and deeply lamented by a grateful people, and tho work which he commenced has since gone on with vigour and without interruption. The Conservatives have never forgiven the Ballanco party lor shifting tho incidence of taxation on to the shoulders of those best able to bear it. Such an impertinent proceeding rarely meets with the approval of the moneyed classes. THE Sf. I)DON GOVERNMENT. They have control led ilia affairs of New Zealand with rare skill during the last three yoars, and on tho truest Democratic lines. Much useful legislation stands to their credit, and not a few of thoir measures recently passed in New Zealand have been eagerly copied by tho Eastern colonies. They created a live land settlement policy, oponed up roads for settlement throughout both islands, cheapened the value of money, also the law charges for mortgages, gave to settlors tho benefits of an organised agricultural department, restored the railways to tho people,

and in the face of unexampled difficulties maintained a sound financial position, in testimony of which it may be pointed out that New Zealand stocks now stand higher in the market than ever before in the history of the Colouy. The wants of the labouring classes have, since 1801, been fairly mot in New Zealand, and consequently there has been r.o talk of “ Socialism in oilr time,” nor any foolish vapourings or injurious st-ikes. Tho great reform of onc-man-one-vote has for four years been in operation in New Zealand, there have also been splendid reforms in railway management, in factory legislation, in Llio law relating to married women's property 7, and it will bo remembered that New Zealand was the first colony of the group to extend the franchise to women. Truly liberal and beneficent measures have for the last five years emanated from tho Parliament of New Zealand, and they have on more than one occasion served as a signpost to sound Liberal legislation. ’ THE FROG HA MM E. The Government now propose to take a few | more strides in the way of progressive legislalion, principally in the following direciions : —Workmen's villages, limitation boy and girl labour, legislation affecting timber industry so as to preserve forests and have timber cut in proper season, development of mining, Construction of water - races, prospecting, importation of improved machinery and gold - saving processes, security of tenure, abolition of distraint for rent, legislation fixing maximum rate of interest, audit of public companies’ accounts, State fire insurance, labour legislation to be completed, private insurance by employers and private companies, and private friendly societies to lie declared illegal and an undue interference with liberty of subject, Asiatic exclusion, legislation for conservation 1 of public health, protection of girls of tender age, repeal of Contagious Diseases Act, i Betterment Bill, Local Government Kill, 1 amendment of the liquor law to bring clubs under supervision and give an opportunity for having national Prohibition decided at the poll.