The Opunake Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1898. SIR ROBERT STOUT.

Opunake Times, Volume VIII, Issue 356, 8 February 1898, Page 2

The Opunake Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1898. SIR ROBERT STOUT.

The surprise of the past week has been the announcement by Sir Robert Stout that for family reasons he intends, for the present, retiring from politics. When we consider politics from the stand point of a good many of those who seek election as a means of livelihood it is not to be wondered at that Sir Robert Stout should decide on ceasing to sacrifice himself. Attending to Parliamentary duties must very seriously encroach on his time, and to a man of such eminence in his profession that time is money which no emoluments of Parliamentary office would replace. His seeking to represent the people may therefore be put down to patriotic and disinterested reasons, as giving his time to that must mean a monetary loss which very few of our politicians are prepared to make for the people, no matter how well they love them. Sir Robert will be missed from the House as unfortunately there are too few of his stamp in the colony. Learned, eloquent, hardworking, and thorough master of detail he was a power even siuglehanded to be reckoned with. He is possessed of pure ideas of government, but when the people willingly allow themselves co be hoodwinked, aud glory in it, what wonder that such as he get disgusted. It was anticipated that when the present Government passed in its checks Sir Robert would be a disturbing element in the formation of a Government from the Opposition, as it was generally thought that unless he had choice of place he would be again found in Opposition. This we do not think would have been the case. We belieye he would have been quite content to assist with his vast knowledge in moulding legislation and the secured prosperity of the state be considered by him as sufficieut reward. His name will live iu New Zealand when other comet bice statesmen —save the mark—will be forgotten. Wo do not think he would prove successful as a leader, because his ideals are before the time, and too much in advanco of the thought of the people, who are more taken with bunkum and swagger than with solid legislation. To give MrSeddon his due we are convinced that he could do good work for the colony if he only set his mind to it, but then he knows full Wbll that if he attempted to carry out what he knows would be best for it that his lease of power aad pay would have been cut short long ago. He knows that it takes a long time for the people to see through the bunkum, aud, like the successful showman, is constantly promising a change of programme to embrace new items for to-morrow night, but when the admission money is parted with in taxation and the play begins, it is the same old show, with a few new sceuic effects. The Government will be pleased to see Sir Robert's back, as they never fait comfortable when under his far seeing eye. The battle to fill his place will be a tough one as the Government will leave no stone unturned to secure his seat.