THE Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1891. THE OPPOSITION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2250, 5 September 1891, Page 2

THE Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1891. THE OPPOSITION.

It has been alleged that Mr Bryce had reasons for resigning other than the

vote of censure passed on him. It is said he was very glad to get out of the ! position he was in. He was leading a 'party which was not only few in number, but very disorganised. Mr Bryce recognising that his position was hopeless, would have been satisfied with doing his duty fairly and honestly. That duty consisted in subjecting the measures of the Government to severe criticism. With this Mr Bryce would Jjaye been contented, for that is really the function, of an Opposition under party government. ]}ut some of Mr Bryce's followers differed from jura on that point. They conceived their duty to be to obstruct everything and try to prevent the Government from carrying on the business of the country. It was in pursuance of this the whole complication arose. The Bill had passed its second reading, it had gone through committee to a certain extent, yet some members were trying to obstruct it at every stage. Mr Bryce did not believe in this, and he felt it a humiliation to be leading a weak, refractory, and disorganised party, *yhiclf would not submit to be led, but roust go in sections at its

own sweet will. It was this, it is alleged, forced Mr Bryce to resign more than the vote of censure, and it appears to be very likely. It is hardly reasonable to believe that Mr Bryce, after all the years he has been in the House would have resigned for such a reason as the very mild vote of censure passed. It is scarcely credible, and it appears to us very likely that he made it a pretext for getting out of a position in which he felt uncomfortable. There can be no doubt that Mr Bryce had very good reasons for feeling dissatisfied with his followers. Messrs Scobie McKenzie, Valentine, Buckland, Richardson, Fergus, and T. McKenzie have . exhibited most unwarrantable anger and bad feeling since the beginning of the present session, and it is not to be wondered at that Mr Bryce was getting tired of them. But who is to succeed him? The Tories will not have Mr Rolleston, he is too Liberal for them; he would have been Liberal, only that to be so is not respectable enough for him. It is not good enough for him to have carpenters and laborers as followers. They are not respectable enough, and consequently he is obliged to go into the camp where the squatters, the bankers, and the merchants are, but unfortunately they have no confidence in him, and so he is out at the heels and the toes. He will not do for a leader, and neither will Mr Scbie McKenzie do, for at best he is only a mere shuttlecock with as little regard for consistency as for accuracy of statement. Sir John Hall is the only honest, legitimate, reliable leader the Tories have at present, and it is really surprising how they can hesitate one moment in following him. It has been said that he would not be popular with the country. On the contrary, we think he would. For our own part, although we have not the slightest confidence iu him politically, we have, and so has everybody, great respect for him personally. He is a man of tact and ability, and a capable, honest administrator, and we hope the Opposition will have the good sense of electing him to the position vacated by Mr Bryce.