The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1884.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 7341, 4 December 1884, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1884.

The post-sessional speeches of members of Parliament ore not likely to be of more interest during this recess than they usually are. The story of the delays and changes which took place before the present Government was enabled to get fairly to work will of course be told over and over again with variations. But the public knows all about it, and cares but little how the result was brought about. Some interest was, however, felt with regard to the explanation which Mr Wakefield would have to lay before his constituents, and also about the manner in which it would be received. It will be acknowledged that the member for Selwyn had before him a rather unpromising piece of work. In 1883 he was an “Independent,” and occupied the same position in the first session of 1884. He was a free-lance, and directed his weapon sometimes against this side and sometimes against that. One of his speeches might almost have been characterised as a general attack on New Zealand politicians, and when he resumed his seat on that occasion he had succeeded in adding considerably to his list of enemies. He was more than once engaged hotly with Major Atkinson, He was the latter’s avowed and persistent enemy, and to many people it appeared in the highest degree improbable that the two would at length sink their differences, range themselves on the same side, and even be associated together in the jaame Ministry. A n d J e t so it came about i# th,e struggle for power which took place pi the beginning of the second session of J-881, (ind though that Government lasted pnly for a few hours, the position which Mr EiEi.p had accepted as theyojleagpe of Major Atkin s -9 s ' rendered it impossible for the former to do otherwise than strenuously oppose the St.o.dtVogel combination. We do not say that under any circumstances ha would have been found supporting them- ffe cordially detests Mr Stour’s politics, and disagrees with a good deal that Sir Julius Yoqel clings to. But then only a few weeks intervened between the time that Mr Wake field was attacking Major Atkinson and the time when they were to be seen sitting together on the Treasury bench. It is hard to foresee what Mr Wakefield would be prepared to do at a pinch, and he is newer «t'a lops for plausible w°rd ß to justify his course of action. there was a good deal to explain toi }jis constituents during the present; recess, und he wisely resolved ,to face 1 the difficulty y/ithopt ,und,ue delay,, which might have only Strengthened | the feeling against him, and led people] to believe that he was afraid to give an account of his stewardship. A® far as we are enabled to form an opinion on the subject, Mr Wakefield’s constituents were not so much struck by the merits of the Sidutregime os they were horrinsd by wbftt appeared to be Mr Wakefield's tergiversations. There was at first a strong disposition on the pait .of his meeting op Monday flight to give him a very hostile re<y»ptipn. Ha bad to pass into the -shall., under .a trap with a rat in it, and be commenced to speak amidst p storm of groans and hisses. There are men who under such adverse .circumstances show to the best advantage, and if Mr Wj-SEyjE&p is 90$

one of them, he seems at least to have a perfect mastery of himself in presence of noisy opponents, and to be able to go on as calmly as though no particular demonstration were taking place. His coolness stood him in good stead on Monday night, and in a very short time he contrived not merely to obtain a hearing but to carry the meeting with him. We cannot think that his success is to be entirely ascribed to the favourable feeling created by his tranquil bearing aud well-rounded periods. There must have been something in the matter as well as in the manner of his utterances which enlisted the sympathies of his hearers, and caused them at the close of the speech to accord him, by a very large majority, a vote of thanks and confidence. Nor do we suppose that any amount of special pleading could have blinded the meeting to the twists and turns which have marked Mr Wakefield’s reappearance in Parliament. The real meaning of what happened at Mr Wakefield’s meeting was that though his constituents disapproved of his earlier course of action (in 1833 and in the first session of 1881) they were of opinion that he had done wisely in the second session. Canterbury is bent on having the railway to connect the East aud West Coasts of the Middle Island, and yet the meeting rejected by a large majority an amendment to the effect that Mr Wakefield’s constituents would have had more confidence in him if he had supported the Bill for the syndicate. The main feature in Mr Wakefield’s speech was his hostility to the StodtVooel Government, as one which was essentially extravagant, and which was directly and indirectly committing the colony to an unlimited expenditure of borrowed money. There can be no doubt that the meeting endorsed the speaker’s severe censure of that policy, or a vote of thanks and confidence could not have been carried. Mr Wakefield has in the past acquired a reputation for untrustworthiness as a politician. He is at all events giving expression to sound views at the present time. Let us hope that he may adhere to them. Of bis great ability, and of his excellence as a debater there can be no question. If he can only develop the quality of steadfastness he may yet be of great use as a public man.