THE COLONIST. Published Daily—Morning. Nelson, Monday, December 14, 1896. THE MINISTER CRITICISED.

Colonist, Volume XL, Issue 8746, 14 December 1896, Page 2

THE COLONIST. Published Daily — Morning. Nelson, Monday, December 14, 1896. THE MINISTER CRITICISED.

During the heat of the election cam- ! paign it was scarcely possible to refer to the speeches of prominent men outside the electorates in which our readers are more particularly interested, but even now the views of some speakers merit attention. It is admitted on all hands that the recent occupier of the Speaker's chair, Sir G. M. O'Korke, is ah exceptionally able man, and though in politics he has always been a consistent Liberal, it must ba conceded even by those on the other side, that he has not only proved himse.i capable of acting impartially, but that from his very position as Speaker, he has become peculiarly well qualified to express an opinion on the aims and achievements of those in office. That being sn the views of fc^ir G. M. O'Rorke are of so much value that they deserve consideration now although the election battle has been fought and won. The present member for Manakau, after speaking highly of the late Mr Ballance, of whom he said that he came into power with the set object of revolutionising the financial and land policy of the day, stated that since Mr Ballance's death, Mr Seddon "had worthily filled his position asLeader of the Liberal Party, and had steadfastly carried out the policy inaugurated by Mr Ballance." Such testimony as that must be in the highest degree disconcerting to those who during Mr Ballance's life time attacked both that gentleman and hia policy, and who now profess some degree of veneration for the former Premier, and admiration for his work, but have only abuse for his successor, and condemnation of his work. In regard to the labor legislation passed at the instance of the Seddon Ministry, Sir G. M. O'Korke asked what had the Government to do but to look after the interests of the people coir mitted to their charge ? And he added that the Government were deserving of all honor for having endeavored in the Factories Act, and in other Acts, to brighten the lives and lighten the troubles of the people. " They deserved credit for insisting that the health and welfare of the people working in factories should be attended to— that factories should be well ventilated, that dangerous machinery should be protected, and that noxious trades should have their terrors diminished." He said all honor to those who have deemed themselves bound to look after the interests of the masses of the people, and not to let such terrible evils arise as once disgraced such establishments at Home. Sir G. M. O'Rorke, declared that the policy of the Minister for Lands had been in the interests of the masses, and spoke of the advantages possessed by settlers now compared with what existed some years ago. He contended that their management of the public finances, especially as to the debt, compared favorably with that of their opponents when in office. Their land policy he said, had been successful ; he approved of their Native land policy ; and he defended the Government from some of the charges made against them. Seeiog that it was with reluctance Sir G. M. O'Rorke consented to stand again for the Mannkau seat, it is impossible for anyone to declare that he spoke otherwise than as a disinterested man, although undoubtedly he is fully imbued with the desire to elevate the masses, and has no notion of conserving the interests of a few at a heavy cost to the majority. Such views as those expressed by the member for Manukau deserve to be borne in mind, and it is satisfactory to note that his views are shared by the majority of the people of this Colony.