THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1177, 5 September 1885, Page 4

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

(From the "Temuka Leader. •')

Politics have now reached the height of absurdity in this Colony. We have a Government in whom the House have no confidence, and an Opposition incapable of removing them from office owiDg to disunion in its ranks. We are not by any means in love with the present Government ; they have disappointed the Colony ; they have failed miserably in realising the expectations they raised, and, in fine, have done nothing to inspire confidence in them. Still, we think, that to remove them from office just now would be fraught with danger. Supposing they were removed, what would be the result 1 Who are to be their successors? The House would not have Major Atkinson on anyj account ; Mr Ormond's peculiar views on a Land and Income Tax are out of the question; .Mr Montgomery has neither the' ability nor the influence to lead the House; and Sir George Grey would not find a dozen ready to follow him. To remove' the present Ministry from office would therefore only lead to the chaotic state of parties which was witnessed last session. No doubt the Government see this, and that is one of the reasons they are sticking to office with such tenacity. . . . Major Atkinson is undoubtedly the coming man, but we are inclined to think his time has not yet arrived. But' perhaps the most interesting point to discuss is : What has< led to this disorganised state of parties ? Our reply is: Small electorates, Provincial jealousies, and self-seeking politicians. The small electorates return men whose .only qualification for the position is that they are local men, and whose highest aspiration is to get something for their district. Provincial jealousy has led to the formation of cliques, whose behests must be obeyed or else they will give a block vote against the Government. Otago men say that Otago has been the milch cow of the Colony, and that they will not allow her to be milked as she has been in the past any longer — they must get value for the milk ; Canterbury has been wronged out of millions, and Canterbury men must have money to construcfc the West Ooast railway; Auckland haa -a ■ similar complaint to make, and bo on to the end of the chapter. In a House composed of intriguing cliques like this, it is impossible to conduct the affairs of the nation honestly.