THE Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. THURSDAY, 30th NOVEMBER, 1893.

Southland Times, Issue 12769, 30 November 1893, Page 2

THE Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. THURSDAY, 30th NOVEMBER, 1893.

In considering the result of the election a feeling of regret will, we think, be generally dominant that so many good men have gone under fcr the present. Having been defeated at the polls the Opposition have suffered such severe losses that they are practically defunct as a party. Mr Mitcbelson and Captain Russell are, indeed, the only survivors of the group of able politicians who supported Hr Harry Atkinson through troublous times. Mr Rolleston, Mr G. F. Richardson, Mr Scobie Mackenzie, have no seats in the new Parliament, and unfortunately there are none to fill their places. The exclurion of Mr Rolleston from the House at this crisis in the history of the colony can be regarded as little less than a national calamity ; his very presence there was to some extent a safeguard against revolutionary legislation,, and he acted as a constant check to Ministerial extravagance of every kind. Mr G. F. Richardson, if not possessing the very high qualifica tions of his late' chief, has always been a power in the House. He is sagacious, hardworking, and is one of the very few of our politicians who thoroughly understand the comp'icated system of colonial finances. His experiences as Minister of Lands has been conspicuously useful to the country during the last three years ; since he was able to expose the mistakes of Mr John McKenzie and wof, after a manner, the-Rupert of debate in the last House. He will be much missed. Bis rattling speeches and brilliant sallies imparted vivacity to the ordinary deadly dulnees of debate, and that he acted a most useful role must be universally admitted. Mr Rolleston has for sone time evinced a desire to retire into private life, and we are apprehensive that he will not again

offer himself for any constituency. ’ Mr Scobie Mackenzie and Mr G. F. Richardson will bp, we predict, again to the front before ‘ long. On ihe surface of things Ministers would ap- j pear to have literally swept the board ■ Twosthirde of the newly-elected members are nominally Ministerialists, but’ there are several “flies in the ointment.” A considerable number of the/candidates owe their return to - the’' support of the Prohibitionists, who succeeded in influencing a very large proportion oft the women’s votes. These members beyond doubt will be with Sir Bobert U Stout in the endeavour to repeal “ The Alcoholic Liquors i Sale Control Act,” andwilltbuß be jbronghbM&to direct antagonism ■■ witlithe Governinent at an early stage of the first session of the new Parliament^- 5 On bot|Yßide6 f of the House, again, s there evidently will be strong sympathy with fir Robert’s views arid in regard to party government any proposals in this direction are sure to be steadfastly opposed by the Government ; and thus ..we;; anticipate the way will be laid for an entire readjustment of party lines. On several important matters of policy Sir Robert, moreover, has expressed in the House last session, and during the Wrllington election, entire disagreement-with the Government. The indications are indeed clear that in the House parties will be led respectively by the present Premier and Sir Robert, and that the latter will have a majority' at bis back before the end of the session.-; Mr Seddon, however, is sure to die hard,l and if defeated on a constitutional queaj tion will appeal to the country thereon ; a course upon-which he will decidedly be justified in accordance with all precedent. A dissolution next year we consider to be quite within the probabilities of tbe present situation. Under any circumstances Ministers are certain to stick to office until dismissed by the country. One notable result of the elections is the failure of the labour party to return their candidates in any of the chief centres except Dunedin and Invercargill; whilst in these electorates they had the great advantage of being opposed by candidates who were not favourably regarded by the independent electors. In Dunedin the personal element had much to do with the result, as well as the fact that Messrs Fish and Gourley were both pledged to grant aid to denominational schools. This undoubtedly influenced many votes, and tbe women were, it is known, very strong on the point; resenting any interference with the established system. In Auckland and Wellington tbe labour organisations did not succeed in returning a single candidate on their ticket—if we except Sir Robert Stout—who can hardly be considered a labour member, -In Christchurch Mr Reeves has associated with him two members neither of whom was on tbe ticket’, and one of these, Mr G. J. Smith, although nominally a Ministerialist, is a man of one idea, being an extreme Prohibitionist. The Labour party proper is weaker in the new than in the late House, which is decidedly an advantage as reducing the probabilities of further class legislation. The party will act wisely in taking the lesson to heart and materially modifying their platform, the extravagant demands and proposals of which excited alarm in the minds of reasonable men, and must necessarily compromise any government to whom tbe Labour members in Parliament give their support. We are pleased to note the return to the Parliamentary arena of Sir Maurice.C’Rorke, who in more than one Parliament made such an admirable Speaker of the House. Major Steward in the last Parliament proved a most inefficient substitute ; bis judgment is not sound and he is both weak and garrulous—a most unhappy combination in the occupant of the chair. It is sincerely to be hoped that the Government will reins ate Sir Maurice in the position which he filled withjso much advantage to the country.