THE Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. TUESDAY, 5th DECEMBER, 1893.

Southland Times, Issue 12773, 5 December 1893, Page 2

THE Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. TUESDAY, 5th DECEMBER, 1893.

The present political situation cannot be regarded otherwise than as being remarkably peculiar—so peculiar indeed as to bar any confident prediction of the eventual outcome. Ministers have, ostensibly a. large majority in the new House ; the Atkinsonian Opposition are scattered to the four winds; yet in the very completeness of the victory of the so-called Liberals lies a'subtle danger. When cheese or fruit becomes over ripe, decomposition commences to set in, and the dominant party would seem to have reached this stage of development. Already the cloud “not bigger than; a man’s hand” appears above the horizon, in the threatened action of a section of the House on the liquor question, A number of members, who were elected as Ministerialist?, are pledged to vote for the repeal or material alteration?] of; “ The Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act, 1893,” and this, the Government are known to be determined to resis'. If, at the outset of the session, Sir Robert Stout should be successful in passing an amendment bill through the House, he would do much towards con solidating a party under his own leader-: ship. In Parliament as elsewhere, “nothing succeeds like success;” and those who might follow him on this particular question, l would be very likely to foreswear their allegiance to the Government for good and all. The mere passing of such a bill would not of necessity affect'the position of Minister?, unless they staked their official existence up in its rejection ; but the blow would be one which they would stagger under, and would be undoubtedly followed by others more effective. This is among the possibilities ; but our impression is that the attack' on the Act

will .not Ee successful if Ministers make up tlieir minds to resist it. Seeing, however, that there has been so extensive an expression of opinion throughout the constituencies-: in favour of allowing a ‘fbare instead of “threefifths,” to determine whether any licenses shall be granted or not in any district, and against th a provision declaring the poll "void .unless at least half the electors record their votes, we shall notbeialtogether surprised were to take the wind out 6f Sir Robert’s saill and introduce a bill 'tberiiseTvesf/ame'ndJ ing the Act ih f ' this si dirdbtioir. action, it may be conceived, will be to Ssbme extent of the operAtionlof ( the. f Apti r! ah !i ’miini!feßted in Jfthe t Local OptiOJfnpoll o whiSW ’ will. fe’fhmd and taken’ early’ in'Match‘•next"year. Mr Seddon undoubtedly ha 3 the gftme in hiß>WniW bo‘far-’ns the'liqnot tion is concerned, find-we give him the credit of knowing how t 6 p!ay;[fr. , ■ The ‘ real 'danger, we .conceive, that lies in the path of Ministers is.the restless energy of Sir Hpbeit Stout, which will be devoted—we have; his w v ord lor it —to'the obtaining .of a large measure of constitutional refoim. In we indicated in a recent article, he is likely to obtain sympathy arid receive considerable support throughout-the country.

of Party government with which FewZealand isjafflicted—a system, under which inefficiency and political corruption reign, whilst the most competent men are excluded from participation in the conduct of "public affairs. Such reforms as were indicated by Sir Robert would not suit the present Ministry nor their followers. Sir Robert will have, in accordance with precedent and parliamentary usage, to .proceed/in'itfe first place, by asking the House to agree to resolutions setting forth the principles of the reforms i-he resolutions it: may be considered W/thin will be resolutely.. opposed by the Government, and the decision thereupon made a Ministerial question, Shou'd they be carried- or even be supported to any material extent by the House, an appeal .to- the country ;would bq-the necessary course /since the people have a right to bo directly consulted when grave constitutional changes are proposed. Out of the political chaos which would ensue it is difficult

raise what would eventuate ; happily there might, in the constitution of the House, be an illustration of the old proverb “ When “ things come to the worst they some- “ times mend ” 1 An idea is prevalent in some quarters, that the very strained relations known at present teijexist between the Premier and Sir Robert Stout, will culminate, before the. session, in open war ; and that Sir Robert msy therefore be expected- to take up a hostile attitude when Parliament meets. This we consider to be extremely unlikely,- and would be .a very- serious tactical blunder,Members who might be inclined to break off with the Government and attach themselves to Sir Robert should a good opportunity present itself, would hesitate to support him in any overt action such as a motion of want of confidence, which could only be based on the condemnation of a policy and administration, which, on the hustings, they unreservedly approved. They would hardly venture therefore to commit themselves eo irretrievably in the eyes of the country. Ministers indeed occupy a most advantageous position. They have six clear months at the least before Parliament meets, in which to design their policy and complete plans for the ensuing campaign ; whilst they have before them the opinions on all important questions of' every constituency in the colony, as expressed at the polls. If we are not much mistaken

in trie men, the policy to be submitted to the new Parliament will be framed with duo regard to these opinions ; and we shall find the measures which, in principle or detail, did rot generally commend; /either > .dropped altogether or very materially modified. This to a certainty, there is already sufficient assurance, will be the case in regard to the “ Lands for Settlement Bill ” and “ The Government Railways; Act Amendment Bill.”' These bills'will probably be presented in a form which will disarm .much of . the opposition which proved 1 fatal last session, and at the same time satisfy those who are in favour of the principles. We do not anticipate that the question of taxation will be touched, It is notable that little attention was directed to this during the elections, and certainly the country has given no mandate/one way or the other, We have frequently expressed surprise at the complete apathy of the industrial classes iin reference to a matter of such vital moment 'to their condition. Under

the joy that the Radical section of the workers feel at the plunder of the landowners through the operation of-; the. Land Tax, they are perhaps unconsciously passive under their burthens of indirect taxation, which press so heavily and inequitably upon themselves ; and in this Fools Paradise, the Government are likely to leave them. Complicated as the present situation is by a variety of issues, which cause the future,to, be seen but' “ through a glass darkly, there are “ crumbs of. comfort ” to be; gathered by those who have the interest of the colony at heart. In the face of the triumphant return of Sir Robert Stout for the city . which-is-the seat of government; and the possibilities of his influence in the House, Ministers are likely to be on their best behaviour; and to be extremely careful as to the policy, which they enunciate for the future. There will be, it may be conceived, an avoidance of “ wild cat ” schemes and a desire to propitiate those sections of the community whose interests heretofore they have unscrupulously sacrificed to the class upon whom they principally ■depended also, the delegates of this' class are not so powerful in the present House, either numerically or otherwise; whilst it is; evident that there is a growing feelingagainst, this parody of fepreseatatiofi, which very possibly may'.have . ;gobd ' effect at the next elections.? a-. .-iifl• -. A

: Although by. no nieaiis satisfied with the general result of the. election?, we do not “ despair of the Republic.”’ The:women’s franchise, oiithis the first oCCa< sion of its exercise,, his worked out somewhat unevenly in operation—a defect, which time and ' experience "will

rectify ; when . the new electirs begin to “ feel their feet ” and having a direct interest, make themselves- better * ‘ini j/sc-wre Res’.sot

formed upon:'political , questions and lEQcial eppnpmics. In the ■ late elections there is little doubt that a number of women were Med away 'by faddists and agitatorargf thpirYiwn Bex tdYecbrd their ..votes for undesirable candidates, and in .favour of very mischievous principles, i