THE Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. MONDAY, 2nd MAY, 1898.

Southland Times, Issue 14040, 2 May 1898, Page 2

THE Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. MONDAY, 2nd MAY, 1898.

Cne of the most objectionable characteristics of the Seddon Government) is the offensive and unwarrantable manner in which they speak of the Opposition. The Opposition in the House, and their supporters out of it, have from the beginning of their reign, been treated and spoken of by tbe leading lights of the Seddonian faction as if they were an alien and conquered people. No course of conduct could more forcibly exhibit the lack of those higher qualities of heart and head—comprehending all that is most excellent io human nature which distinguishes the powers that be. It is the presence or absence of these qualities that marks the difference between the true patriot and statesman and the charlatan who seeks to govern from no higher motives than those that spring from the instinct of self preservation and the desire of personal aggrandisement. Truculence on the one hand and duplicity on the other have been conspicuous in the conduct of the Ministry toward their opponents, whether within the walls of Parliament or throughout the country. Tbe Premier and tbe Minister of Lands notoriously rule at will in the Cabinet, and consequently must besr the greater share of condemnation for the unconstitutional and intolerant attitude tbe dominant party assumes when speaking or writing of their opponents. In the mouths of the two leaders especially,the Opposition —the representatives of tbe minority in tbe country—have always been held as rebels against the democracy and its appointed rulers. In the House they have been floated as little better than interlopers, if not as would-be robbers who had climbed into tbe fold over the wall, instead of entering by the door, and therefore deserving of being treated with suspicion and contumely. No method of thwarting the just demands of the Opposition for information, or for conformity to recognised procedure, has been deemed too discreditable for adop« lion, and when artifice and blaster hive failed, physical force, in the shape of lung power and endurance has been brought into requisition. Every possible means has been taken advantage of to debar members on the left of the Speaker from exercising their rights as representatives of a very large and important division of the people of the colony. The packing of committees, whose reports largely influence legislation, has been carrkd to a scandalous extent, and it was the Premier’s determination to force his will upon the House in this matter that led to a considerable waste of time at the opening of last session, Had he succeeded in his design there would not have been left to tLe Opposition the shadow of a obance of anything being carried in committee in accordance with their views on the subject under discuseion, or of imposing a check on the headstrong purposes of Mr Seddon. Outside of tbe House the same grossly domineering conduct has been pursued by both the Premier and his chief colleague, not to apeak of lessor, but equally rampant, henchmen. From every pla'form they could place their foot on they have launched upon tbe heads of a section of the people’s representatives unstinted vituperation, as though those they traduced represented neither party nor inteiest in the State that deserved the smallest consideration. This way of treating the “ vanquished ” is characteristic only of despotic rulers of the savage type, and no set of men, possessed of a true conoeptiop of the rights of a free people, or

of their own honour and functions as etalesm u, would ever allow their reputation to be sullied by such a detestable system of governing as the Seddonites have inflicted upon this country. The Premier boasts of having placed New Zealand in the van of civilised countries for enlightened and advanced legislation. The ultimate consequences of much of that legislation cannot possib y be stamped with the approval of experience for many years to come. When the time has passed the mischievous effects of statutes now applauded by those in whose interest they were supposed to have been framed will probably have become apparent, and tbe dominant clatter that drowns the voi e of piudence now may then find scope for its exercise in denouncing its idols of to-day. Already the disastrous effect upon certain enterprises likely to follow the operation of specific labour kws is being forced upon the attention of rhe people. Nor ci.n it be hoped that tbe crushing blows that have ju t fallen upon the coal-mining industry are the oily on<s to be struck at the progress of the country through the cUss 1-gis-lation already effected or yet to be accomplished. However, whatever uncertainty there may exist as to the rank the colony has acquired among civilised and progressive communities under the regime of tbe New Liberals there need be none as to the place their present lender will be assigned in the piges of the future historian. A man of genius, or even ot conspicuous abili’y, might, under certain conditions, assume despotic airs and escipe condemnation. For Mr Seddor, however, there is little hope of absolution. He has never been even suspected of genius, and his ability has been displayed chiefly in the direction of looking remarkably well after his own interests. His knowledge of Parliamentary forms and procedure is admittedly high, and fame of a sort has come to him through the capacity displayed in wresting these to his own purposes ; while bis success in political dissimulation his been the envy of less skilful students of that fine art. When the glamour bred of active strife melts aw iy tbe critic will have no difficulty in presenting a true and faithful portraiture to posterity.’ Fortuitous circumstances lifted him into power, which he has retained mainly by a system of mingled cajolery and domination that entitle him to acknowledgment as the foremost political quack and would-be despot of his time. It is hardly questionable that he has never once realised the true dignity and responsibility attaching to the premiership. From the beginning the office has been debased to that of a faction leader. He has been the willing catspaw of a clamorous section of the popu'ace in the larger centres They have served his purpose and he theirs, and probably neither party has been entirely blind to the insincerity and humiliation of the compact. Tbe alliance, however, is evidently nearing its end, for tbe trade coteries that have hitherto been loud in protestations of loyalty have begun nob only to speak disrespec fully of their whilom idol, but to transfer his glory to another, At the recent Labour Conference in Wellington mention of the Premier elicited some derision while reference to Mr Reeves was received with acclamation, We have frequently ventured to foretell the fate of the Minis.ry in general and of the head of it in particular, as likely to furnish a parallel to that of Ac atjn, who was devoured by his own dogs Tne fulfiment appears to be now within measurable distance, and it will be a fitting termi nation to the official career of those who have deliberately set themselves to create class animosities amongst the people ol this colony,