The Southland Times. PUBLISHED DAILY. Luceo Non Uro. FRIDAY, AUGUST 1.

Southland Times, Issue 3467, 1 August 1879, Page 2

The Southland Times. PUBLISHED DAILY. Luceo Non Uro. FRIDAY, AUGUST 1.

Although the decision of the Governor in granting a dissolution was not altogether expected, yet, bear ing in mind the character ;, of the authonliy, from whiqh it" emanated, -we shall regard it fas beirigthe best, if not the only one^that could have been given under the circumstances. Sir Hercules has doubtless made himself perfectly acquainted with the position of political parties, and recognises that an appeal to the country now will be the , best, for the^ country. We are ; far from considering that the present Parliament is as representative as it might be. Political opinions ,have undergone, and, even now, are* undergoing, such decided modifications that the safest Way out of the present difficulty is to give that opinion a fair opportunity of expressing itself. The Ministerialists hesitate 'not to aver that the country is wiih_them, and that this will be demonstrated by the new Parliament to be elected. The Opposition party, on the other hand, are equally confident that the country |is heartily sick and tired of the present administration, and thftt-the coming contest wilY result in the Tetuun of auolra. 'House a*s will avoid' extremes, and fairly and worthily represent the^colony in a very peculiar and delicate juncture of its affairs. 'Whilst naturally,, as an ardent partizan of our own side, we should-have liked to have seen an 'administration of that side in power; yei, we are thoroughly content to abide the issue of the 1 test to be applied, feeling sure that T the good sense of Jihe people wjU assert itself in the crisis, and. that tliere is a fajr p,ro,ba.= bility of legislation—being purged of much of the dross with which it is just now cumbered. "It" is, however, to f he borne, iii mind that victory wijl £ have tp bp fought for^ and that vigorously. Decision and unanimity must be cultivated to the utmost to ensure success, aud^BCh co-operation' i as' will leave' no point of vantage unoccupied. ,, In deciding as" he did, 'Sir Hercules Robinson was governed by jbljo stri<#est impartiality, And the, desire' expressed; by, |h.e ]V#nißr terialists for; a. dissolution (.whether it was sincere or not, is another matter) will be, gratified.; "All we- now wiah for in the interest of the 'colony* "and, "that ■theiiecessafyJegislation may again flow on, is that the Governor's stipulation may receive and' if ifc does, 'six we"dlcs" hence should see the iv&? , Parliament assembled. * This afternoon 'the-Honse will meet to .deliberate- on. a, r cgursp of 'prgoej^ure. Only j -'pressing m^a'sures will, we pre^unje, be^fntifo'dijced'

— tlie Loan Bill, of coarse, ani such a bill of supply as will enable the business of the country to be earned on during- the interregnum. The redistribution of seats is a measure that has long been talked about and promised, and if it were introduced in a more 'simple form than tlie Representation Bill the Premier has prepared, it might be possible to make the new rolls ready in time for the new elections. This is a momentous matter, for if there is to be redistribution of seats, it is important" that the country should be spared the expense and inconvenience of another election merely arising out of it. It is to be hoped the House will have, nothing to do with the personal grievances of members. We notice that the irreprenaible Mr Barton is prepared with a budget on his own account ; such frittering away the time of the House in the crisis that is upon us is not to ba tolerated, and this view will, we 3 aye no doubt, be adopted by both sides. The aim should be to join issue without unseemly hurry or. unnecessary delay, and, we anticipate that very much good will ensue upon tho people meeting in" the. open political arena and giving a fair outspoken expression of opinion. We think there is a .good deal of political iniscoucsption existing that may be removed by, the intercourse arising out of a general election ; and whilst bearing in mind general principles of polity, it will be for each district to return the man. or men." who will most worthily represent ; it. A fair field and no faver is all that should be asked by either side, and let the best win. As we have again ' and again stated, we have , no sympathy whatever with the extreme views enunciated by tbe' Premier, and .neither do we.? think* has the bulk of the intelligence of the country, and this will, we believe, be demonstrated by the result of the coming elections. There is one -point to be kept in view with regard to the elections. This year's rolls .will not be available until the Ist of September, so it may be regarded as certain that the new writs will not be made returnable until after that, in order that the country may have the full benefit of ' the amended representation. The Parliament .will be elected for the usual < term, we presume, for. it. is .not at^all likely an attempt will be made to push the Triennial Bill through this session, as it comes within the category ; bt the ' ■ contested motions" prescribed by the Governor. According to the special telegram we publish elsewhere, political feeling is running high at. Wellington, and is strongly adverse to Sir George Grey, but seemingly it is the man! more than the measurs that is taken exception to. This is not surprising nor difficult to account for— he has simply been " found out."