Trouble Ahead.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XVIII, Issue 1695, 17 June 1885, Page 2

Trouble Ahead.

+ — There is trouble fibead_ for Ministers. In the Legislative Council signs of hos tilities are rife. The Bill giving Sir George Whitmore the command of the New Zealand forces, at a salary of £BOO a year, while at the same lime allowing him to retain his seat in the Legislative Council, is to be strongly opposed. The measure is entitled the Disqualification Act Amendment Bill, and its one operative clause runs as follows “No person who at any time has been or may be appointed to the rank of Commander of (he Colonial forces in the colony, and who shall receive remuneration for his services as such, shall b? thereby disqualified from being or continuing *.? a member of either House of the General Assembly, anything contained in the Disqualification Act, XB7B, notwithstand ing.” The principle asserted in this measure is a monstrous one. No person who is a paid servant of the Government of the day ought to be allowed to hold a seat in the Legislature. If Sir George Whitmore wishes to remain Commander in Chief of the Colonial forces and draw

±‘Boo a year and “pickings,” he ought at once to resign his scat in the Legislative Council, We earnestly hope that this Bill, which proposes to give the sanction of law to a gross Job, may bo thrown out. But there is more trouble brewing. The majority of the members of the Legis'ative Council are angiy with the Government for having, during the recess, created a largo additional number of “Peers for life.’ On tins point the New Zealand Times remarks . “ A movement has accordingly been set on foot to get a vote of censure on the Government for their conduct in this respect passed in the Legislative Council, and some informal meetings of members have already taken place to consider the matter. The present intention is lo propose a resolution condemning the action of the Government, and to move for a “call” of the Council on the occasion, so as to ensure a full attendance of Councillors, in order that the action taken may be of a thoroughly representative character.”

It will thus be seen that the Government is not at present on a bed of roses, and that much management and skill will require to be displayed, iu order to meet the various hostile movements being made in several quarters.