The Star. MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1896.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5740, 7 December 1896, Page 2

The Star. MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1896.

The result of the general elections has utterly swept away the assertions of the Conservatives with regard to " revulsion of feeling," "hurling the Government from office," the "death-blow to Seddonism," and so on and so forth. Regarded comprehensively, the outcome is a splendid victory for Liberalism. It has been overwhelmingly demonstrated that the people will have nothing to do with Conservative stagnation, but, on the contrary, are firmly resolved that the policy of progress shall go steadily on. Reference to the list published elsewhere in this issue, setting forth " The New House," will show that of sixty-one names thirty-nine are classe/1 as Liberals, five as Independent Liberals, and twenty-six as Conservatives. Of the Independents, Messrs G. J. Smith and T. E. Taylor have sworn by Progressive Liberal measures, and it is impossible, in the face of their platform pledges, that they can vote on the Conservative side in any real party question. Nor is it likely that the three other Independents, Messrs Crowther, Kelly and Pirani, would do so. It comes to this, then, that on any crucial point the Government could fairly reckon upon a sweeping majority ; for the result of the Maori election will scarcely disturb " the balance of parties." At a great mass meeting of Liberals, held in Wellington on Saturday night, the Premier spoke in jubilant terms, as well he might. There is a distinctly improved Opposition, a fact whereat we rejoice, for in the last Parliament its tone was lamentably) weak. On another page in this issue we reprint from our morning contemporary an article entitled, " Nemesis." We do so, because we are thoroughly in accord with what is advanced therein. Nemesis has come, both upon the prohibitionists and — in Christchurch — upon the Conservative-cjtm-Licensed Victualler combination. By their extremist tactics the prohibitionists have shut out men who would have furthered the cause of reform controlled by moderation ; and,also by their extremist tactic?, they have aroused in the country a feeling of resentment, and their "top-line" banner has become a tattered rag. In Christchurch, the Conservatives in their vaulting ambition have overleaped themselves, and come down "whop" on the other side; while those members of the Trade who entered into an xinlioly alliance, in the hope that they would thereby "euchre" the pro hibition candidates, have fallen headlong mto a pit of their own digging. The experience of the election, we devoutly hope, will have a hardening effect upon the Labour and Liberal organisations. If they are wise, they will keep going, solidifying and increasing their ranks, closely studying every political question that may arise, and steadily preparing themselves for the next battle that has to bo fought.