THE jlpi|laafr lions PCBUBHBD CVKBT MO&tfINO, Luceo Non Uro SATURDAY, 28th SEPTEMBER, 1901 THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Southland Times, Issue 15057, 28 September 1901, Page 2

THE jlpi|laafr lions PCBUBHBD CVKBT MO&tfINO, Luceo Non Uro SATURDAY, 28th SEPTEMBER, 1901 THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

» ... .. . Parliament has been now in session for over three months, and very little of the big programme set forth in the Governor's opening speech, and in the Financial Statement, has been practically even approached. The supporters of the Government have been fooled to the top of their bent and induced to believe that they enjoy independence of thought and expression, whilst all the time they are merely being used by the Premier as instruments of his autocratic will. It may be observed that they are notably very quiet and docile just now, and this may possibly be explained by the- fact that the promised measure, having for its object the increase in the salaries of members of Parliament, has not yet been introduced, and there is considerable apprehension that some excuse may be found for not bringing it down this session. We wonder what position the Ministerialists who so loudly objected to the increase in departmental salaries will take up when their own pay comes under consideration 1 We venture to predict that there will be great unanimity in the opinions and votes, A somewhat; remarkable phase of the session so far is the coldness of the Premier in regard to labour legislation. Certain promised bills have certainly been tabled, but have not by any means been hurried forward ; unless, indeed, higher pressure is put on there seems little chance of their being placed on the Statute Book. The inference would appear to be reasonable that Mr Seddon is about sick of the dictations of the Labour party, and is alive to the strong feeling of revulsion against the tyranny of the Trades Councils and Unions, which undoubtedly is becoming very general, and appears likely to materially affect the prospects of the next general election, particularly as the agricultural popula tion axe becoming very much alive to

their own interests, and ftPd forming combinations for self-preservation and betterment. In addition to the Labour Bills which the Premier, we quite believe, will be glad of a plausible excuse for dropping, there is a very large amount of important business which must needs be dealt with before Parliament can be prorogued. The financial and policy measures of the Government are still in embryo, and the borrowing proposals are certain-to be closely criticised, aince throughout the colony the rapid growth of the public debt is exciting serious alarm, it having reached on 31st March last the enormous amount of £49,591,245, not including the floating liabilities at that date. The increase for the year 1900-01 was £1,716,793. In the face !of this and the proportionate permanent annual charges on the revenue, we find in the Estimates of the Consolidated Fund for the current year a proposed increase over the expenditure of last year of £284,111. The Public Works Statement and Estimates are not yet submitted to the House, but the Treasurer has intimated that the estimated expenditure of the Public Works Fund will be £1,950,000, and to this, beyond question, will have to be added a considerable amount of Supplementary EstimateE, including, as usual, many bones for dogs of the right colour. We fail entirely to see how, under so reckless and prodigal a financial policy, things can be kept going at all in New Zealand without recourse, sooner or later, to heavy additional taxation. The revenue shows indications already of losing its elasticity, and there are also indications of less prosperous times, in consequence of the mischiefs wrought to trade and enterprise by the labour legislation. The low prices of agricultural produce, especially of wool, must of necessity affect deleteriously all classes of the community. A prudent Government would, it might be conceived, draw in their horns and apply themselves to economy and retrenchment, preparing to meet contingencies that are all too probable, but Mr Seddon plunges on aad a subservient House will no doubt give him all he asks for and swallow all he says about the settled prosperity and sound financial condition of the colony, which he demonstrates to tho satisfaction of ignorant self interest by bunkum surpluses year after year, although the real facts are staring members in the face. The Budget proves, he has the audacity to state, that the financial position of the colony 11 is sound and prosperous, that the " operations of last year were satisfac- " tory, and that at the close there was "a credit balance of £532,000, and " that this year there will be a surplus, "and that additional taxation is not " required, provided that the present "laws remain unaltered"! We do not quite understand to which " laws " the right honourable gentleman refers. It can hardly be Statute " laws," because such a statement would be on the face of it absurd. As to economic laws, the principles of which he systematically defies, these are hardly variable, and will eventually prove too strong even for his overbearing assumption. Whilst we by no means approve his methods, we can hardly help extending \& him a meed of admiration for the excellence of his parliamentary tactics. Troublesome bills, in respect to the outcome of which he does not feel altogether confident, and which he sincerely hopes will be kicked out, he hands over to his colleague, who conducts the Government business in the Legislative Council, and of course it is not his fault if they come to grief. Then when the Estimates are before the House and members raise awkward questions, or, pricked by conscientious scruples, take to preaching economy, he contrives judiciously to draw a red herring across the scent ; to fling some bone of contention upon the floor of the House ; to set the social cranks by the ears, or otherwise to create a diversion. Then, in the small hours, when everyone is more or less exhausted, he secures his appropriations and rushes his measures through. The Star privilege case was for him a perfect providence and literally "covered a multitude of sins :" kept all the noisy members busy, and Parliament thoroughly amused for some days. Then later he brings in a Liquor Bill— a very rore move for a row. Whether he ever contemplated such a measure passing is at least open to doubt, but that its purpose will be, or" has been, answered is pretty certain. The occupation of time is the object at this period of the session, and there is nothing to this effect so suitable as a subject which lets loose floods of interminable talk. As leader of the House, Mr Seddon, in the Government interest, undoubtedly knows his business and, in the absence of an organised Opposition, practically has his own way. We should not be surprised if, notwithstanding the amount of work to be disposed of, he manages to clear everything off within three weeks or a month.