SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1889.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8536, 29 July 1889, Page 2

SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1889.

When a Government cannot get its measures passed, and finds it expedient to withdraw, the various bills conneoted with its polioy, to be replaced by others of a very different character, merely to suit the views of the majority of the House, that Ministry is in danger of losing its prestgie ; and when that Ministry ceases to retain the confidence of the people, all who have the welfare of the country at heart must desire to see its downfall. The retention of executive power by a Ministry which neither represents the wishes of the people nor administers the laws fearlesly and impartially, cannot prove other than an unmitigated curse to a country. A Government cannot perpetrate, or connive at a perpetration, of publio injustice for any length of time without becoming demoralised, or without infecting all branches of the public service with the moral rottenness which is sure to seize it. A people which allows its dissatisfaotion with a weak vacillating Government, to evaporate in mere grumbling, or to subside into political apathy, must eventually have to ohoose between the alternatives, tyranny, or revolution, tiuch has been the experience of mankind in all ages and in all countries. It, therefore, behoves the people to be partioulaly vigilent in political matters, and to watoh minutely what is being done when Parliament is in session. The members who are returned to Parliament have the making of the laws which we have to live under, and the appointment of those who have the administration of them. When, therefore, we have a Ministry which abuses its powers in the manner the present Cabinet has, in the appointing of the Railway Commissioners from the Civil Service, the appointment of the Judge, the abolishing of some departments and compensating the officers, whilst large salaried appointments that are not required are made ; that Ministry, we, say cannot command the confidence of the House or of the publio. In political matters publio men are too apt to wander from the path oi duty. They are exposed to so mauy temptations, that the best intentioned of (hem have need of another curb beside that of their own conscience to keep them from becoming actually corrupt; and where, as in the administration of the laws of a country there are so many intereits involved, the people cannot be too watchful. Our representatives during the best pare of last week have been fighting like two dogs over a bone. The town members aie seeking to obtain au advantage over the country in the representation of the oolony. The Ministry brought down a .Representation Bill, which was in favor of the town party, but, finding the country members were in a large majority, permission was given the Government to withdraw the measure, on the Premier promising to substitute another, which was to be a complete reversal of the Ministerial policy as announced in the Governor's speeoh. We cannot defend toe members wno

represent the oities in their action in "stonewalling" the bill, because what the oonntry members ask is bat a fair demand ; but we blame the Government for its weakness and its " weather-cock " action in bringing about such a state of things in order to retain their seats on the Ministerial benches. We cannot compliment the Government on its sagacity, or it would have brought in a bill to repeal the " Representation Act of 1887." We feel sure this would prove a very popular measure ; a measure too the Ministry need have had no fear of being "stonewalled." It is a bill | which would be passed by the members } with little or no opposition; for the opposition, if any, would have come from a few who thongh only too happy to see the measure carried, woqld be Pharisaical enough perhaps to parade before the electors and say, " I am not as that other man; I voted against the bill being repealed." The Ministers may have soruples and think it discreditable to propose a reversal of the legislation so deliberately adopted a year and a half ago. If so, they might intimate to some member who was opposed to the measure when it was passed, that the Government would offer no opposition to anyone introducing a bill to repeal the " Representation Aofc of 1887." The present House is a useless one. The members were returned pledged to put in a Ministry to carry out a drastio system of retrenchment ; but those who took upon themselves that duty have failed to carry it out. It is better, therefore for the members to start afresh, and as there seems to be none in the House competent to fill the shoes of the present Ministers, another general election should take place, when we hope that amongst those returned may be found some more capable of occupying the Ministerial benches. Mr J. C. Fiitb, miller, of Auckland, filed a petition in Bankruptcy on Satarday. Mr F. Stohr announces in another column that be haß secured the services of a first class watchmaker in Auckland, and is prepared to take watches for repairs cheaper than any house in town. The installation of Bro. E. T. Gillon as Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the North Island took place in the Provincial Grand Lodge of New Zealand, S.C., on SaturHaj evening. In th© absence of Sir F. Whitaker, Bro. Niccol, of Auckland, acted as Provincial Grand Master, presided, and conduoted the ceremony in a very impressive manner. Bro. Gillon wag presented for installation by Bro. Barren, Past Master of the Otago Kilwiggen Lodge, as Master of which some 25 years ago he initiated Bro. Gillon. Parliamentary proceedings prevented the attendance of Sir H. Atkinson and a large number of members of the Houße of Representatives, from whom apologies were received. Mr J. J. Russell it now completing the breaking in of a handsome four-year-old oolt by the Dauphin — Bluebell. The colt is a big fellow, and well put together, and should be heard of in the future over sticks or orof s country. Silvio, so wellknown in Auckland for his jumping viotorias, is in Mr Russell's hands having a Bpell, and is looking so well that it is pretty certain the gome little son of Izaak Walton will yet add to his winning record. The first chesa match between the Wanganai Club and the local players came off on Saturday night, and resulted in a win for the latter. The game was started at about 8 o'olook and finished some hours later. The winning games for New Plymouth were : W. Morey v. McKnigt; A. O'Loughlin r. M. Cottle; R. Jury v. J. Greenwood; J. Bruce v: J. Blackburn. New Plymouth lost in the games— G. Grey v. H. Sim; Dr O'Carroll v. H. South; and E. Humphries v. R. Campbell. The game between Jury and Greenwood was not finished, but as the pieces stood, Mr E. Veale, who waa referee for Wanganui at this end, ruled that Jury would have won, and the game accordingly was given to him. Mr J. Kivell telegraphed the game at this end in a highly satisfactory manner. Mesara Dingle and Corke, finding their premises inadequate for tlie requirements of their ever increasing business, have decided to muke extensive alterations and additions. Preparatory to doing so, they intend to reduce their stock of furniture, &c, which will be sold at greatly reduced ruteß. Crockery, which must be cleared out, will be lower than ever; in fact there will be bargains in all lines, affording opportunity for furnishing which will not soon occur again. Chairs or suites recovered, and general upholstering; done by a skilled workman. — Advt.