THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13995, 30 August 1907, Page 8

THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

Sir,—A recent telegram from 'Wellington slates that lis numbor of farmers anil run : holders is greater than that of any other class of representatives in the House. The ostensible reason for the existence of tlio Opposition, as set forth by tho leader of that, body, is to conserve to tho utmost tli'e interest o( country electors and, by so doing, to sconrc the general prosperity of tho colony. If wo assume that in the ca6o of a purely party voto a largo majority of [armere and representatives of country district'! would side with tho Government we are tonfroWfld with this curious position: A majority of a parly of men in the House, whoco interest and duty should lead them to support what may bo beneficial, and to oppoeo what ma.y bo harmful, to agricultural and pastoral industries, arc found to do so only when freed from party obligations.

Tho late Mr Seddon. of course, is responsible for this etoto of affairs. Mr Seddondictated to many an electorate the man to to returned. Members so returned in nowise- represented their electorate. In the case- of a warty vote Mr Seddon was tho representative, anil his voto was given by proxy. It is quite obvious that a class of man to lend himself to such a part could command no respect. The bitter opposition in tto country to the Seddon Government was not so much to tho policy of that Govorninent as to the way that policy was administered. I for one liavo voted consistently against Mr Seddon's party because I have objected most strongly to the man foisted on my electorate; yet there is no principle of the policy Mr Soddon carried out with which I was not in favour.l say carried out, because it must be remembered that, of tho legislative mcaGures enacted under Mr Seddon's rule ho can lay claim' to originating one only, and that not. of the first importance. With the death of Mr Seddon much of the reason for tho opposition to the late Government has boon removed. Errors and excesses for which (bo Seddon Administration was responsible mattered little while the late Priino Minister was alive. Tho same personal influence which had carried measures in the face of all common sense would have been sufficient to revoke- legislative experiments a maturer eonsideraiion had shown to bo undesirable. I am glad to soy no such dangerous power lies in the hands of Siv Joseph Ward. The legacy which has fallen to his lot ie as groat as the responsibilities attaching to it. Attention for tho coming weeks should bo centred not eo much on legislation pnseed as on tho individual actjpnof Sir JosephjjWard in his efforts to shape such legislation. If such action proves him to bo ii mnn of wide, statcsmnnliko outlook, impressed as strongly with tho necessity oE giving effect in 60 far as may be possible 1o tho conflicting demands of town and country interests as ho is with the importance of avoiding oppressive and irritating class legislation, then it seems to mo that not only the electors of the colony, but tho Opposition itself, must ho prepared to face tho consideration of an entirely new political situation. To concerted action of the country proper the busy prosperity of our cities would offer as little resistanco as a dandelion seed in a child's hand. Not Mr Massey certainly—not tho most virulent opponont of legislation pressing heavily on tho country producer to please tho whim or benefit the circumstances of the town worker—would care to purchase what ho conceives to bo his meed of justico at such a price. . l Tho adjustment of those relations existing to-day between town and country with tho least amount of. friction and greatest benefit to each can only find proper expression when left to the control of. a House the majority of members of which represent that moderation, intelligence, and sense of responsibility essential to any court from which the test results arc to bo expected. Is the end to bo gained—that is, tho establishment of a House so desirably constituted—worthy of a great sacrifice on the part of steadfast members of tho Opposition and a greater one on that of its leaders? The question is not one to bo answered offhand, nor possibly is it one to ho left entirely to the members of Mr Massey's party. Aβ a measure capable of practical application. Mr M'Nab's Land Bill as drawn bv that gentleman was not worthy of consideration. Looked at as a wedge to drive open tJio narrowing margin between two parties, and as a test to show what support might be oxpeeted by a Ministry fathering such a measure, the bill roveah quite Machiavellian possibilities on the part of its maker. Fortunately for Mr M'Nabthc more patent faults in bis bill absolve him from the charges of duplicity and intrigue. To explain what I meant when I wrote that possibly the decision of a momentous question might not lie with the mcmbcH of tho Opposition, I must ask you for a moment to look at the result of the passing of a decent Land Bill, as reflected by its reception in the mind of the avorage country man. The farmer I take is one who has been a bitter opponent of Mr Seddon. •hut in whom lias grown tip it, sort of affectionate admiration for Sir Joseph Ward. It would bo hard to make sueli a one believe that a practical man like our .FriffiS MflW?J«r over. gajg %. draft of the.

original bill.. Sir Joseph's connection, in his mind, with this matter will be that ot a man who has changed chaos into moro or less aeoeptablo order. Ho will start wondering whether, now that there is no Mr Seddon, it would not be as well for him to support tho winning side, moro particularly when tho lieatl ol that side has ebon® himself fully alivo to the interests of'thb oountry, and has given not tho least hint of a. desire to force some failure 011 him ns a representative. What tho average man wants to sec is a House of men who represent life's succceses; to such with confidence ho may leave tho government of liis country. "No one can know better than Sir Joseph Ward that this is the most important moment in his career. It is tho turning of tho ways. Ho may walk safely on the straight read, certain ol tho- rcspect duo to one who carries justice with an even hand. Should our Prime Minister be so ill-advised as to turn aside to the paths from whence it is sure Mr Soddon was about to drag his foot let him bo certain of this: ho may follow the stops of his lato leader whero they stray from safety, but not in their return,—l am, etc., Golden- Mean;