EDITORIAL NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10237, 28 August 1909, Page 2

EDITORIAL NOTES AND COMMENTS.

With such an Opposition to contend against, the GovernBaiting the ment ' does not get Government, much quarter. It was suggested that Parliament for instance, should meet on or about the 30th September. But the general opinion was that, as it would not be advantageous to the country that Parliament should proceed with business in the absence of the : Prime Minister, it might be found necessary to defer the opening of the session till a later date. This opinion has been justified. Though Sir Joseph Ward is returning to New Zealand with the utmost expedition, he cannot arrive till the beginning of October, and, as it is necessary that the Cabinet should confer in regard to the subjects to be submitted to Parliament, it is only reasonable to suppose that the business of the session cannot begin till at least some few days after his arrival. But the Opposition has no desire that the Government should have its work in a state of preparedness, so that everything may be done decently and in order. The first thought of those who are antagonistic to the existing Administration is the Opposition, not the country. If it were possible for them to precipitnet dissatisfaction and chaos, no matter how harmful such a condition -might be to the common wellbeing, they would do it. But, though Mr MasseV and his lieutenants may rage, the Government will conduct the business of the country with deliberation. It has certain work to accomplish and it will do it its own way and at its own time. No amount of hectoring will overawe such resolute men as the Prime Minister, the Minister for Railways, the Minister for Public, Works, and the Attorney-General. If the Opposition do not approve of the Government's methods, they should themselves take the management of the country's affairs. There is, we all know, some little difficulty in the way of their doing this. As they are not trusted, they cannot .get into office. This being the case, it is presumptuous for them to dictate to those in whom the people repose trust and whom they have commissioned to lead in the transaction of parliamentary business. If the Opposition organs and leaders really think that the Government is neglectful of its duty in delaying the opening of Parliament to a date which fits in "with its' own arrangements and will conduce to the general advantage, they should test the feeling of Parliament on the subject by a direct noconfidence motion, when the opportunity arises. But it is preposterous to contend that, in seeking merely a week's grace, the Government is committing an unpardonable offence. As the Opposition has for years declared that there is no necessity for fresh legislation and that the country would be'all the better for a truce from lawmaking, they only make themselves ridiculous by simulating such anxiety that Parliament should meet in a hurry and put fresh legislation through post haste.