The Wanganui Chronicle. AND PATEA-RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. FRIDAY, DIECEMBER 8, 1893.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11901, 8 December 1893, Page 2

The Wanganui Chronicle. AND PATEA-RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. FRIDAY, DIECEMBER 8, 1893.

What Mr Seddon stooped !o in order to carry the elections is very suggestive of what ho may be expected to submit to rather than be driven from the Government Benches. At first it wa=j plainly stated that he would have to meet Sir Bobert Etout in op9n fight over the Alcoholic Liquors Act, Party Government, and other questions on which they were not in accord. Now it is f reely stated that he will surrender at discretion, and submit to whatever terms bir Eobert may dictate, providing that he thinks he is not strong enougk to win in a square, stand-up fight. The AVeilington correspondent of the New Zealand Herald writes as follows on the poiuh in question to the journal he iepresent3: — "The unanimous opinion of all Wellington members, and at least one of the Wairarapa members who bas been in town since the election, is that Mr Seddon will practically cast the party who supported hiai aßide'i feat ho will be prepared to make the three-fifths majority one-fifth, or, if necessary, accept Sir Uobfirt Stout's Bill ; that, indeed, he will go s.ny Jfmgth in order to retain office. One member likened Mr Seddon holding to office to a bull-dog holding on to anything ; you have almost to cut its hend off before it leaves go. Of course S'r Eobeit Stout has no objection to the Premier (jiving way to onv extent on this question, but ia the event of a compromise being offered be will have £.0 cuefully consider the conditions." Mr Seddou loelievts firmly in the a-gu-mentof members, and as the liquor party badly beaton in the elections, it is quite likely he will throw them overboard without any mi>re ado. Indead, wo shall not be surprised toiind him wearing a blue ribbon when tho new House meets and smilingly offering to take o?or Sir Kobert Stout's repealing bill, on the ground that it is his duty to carry out the jvi'l of the country us expressed at tha elections. Another reform which Sir Robert Stout made a chief plank in his election programme, and which received a very stranjr endorsement by tho electors throughout tha length and iweaGth of tho country, w tho abolition of Party Government. Up to the present Liberal Governments in New Zealand have stuck hard and fast by Party Government, and b.ive absolutely refused to promote or even to acquiecce in urgent minor reforms of Parliamentary procedure. Now, however, that Bir Eobert Stout hns talcon the question up, and that the people of the colony appear to be with him in his proposals', ft change has corao over the feelings of Micie^Gis and of the Government party. Tho lyt'elton Times tho leading organ of the party, goos so for as to say that. Mr Seddon shcuiW t<jks l.ho matter up at onee — Hint, as a matter of fact, he should be first in the Sold, although of course the suggestion is not put precisely iv that way. A now paragraph is necessary t-j sec out boldly vhnt the Lyttolton Times thinks of Tarty Government, now that it believes the people 0? the colony have pronounced against, it. •' U is ciear, however," says our -contemporary, " that there is a growing feeling, quite apart from politic 1 cal bias, against what we may call the tyranny of Party ftovemment. People are beginning (0 realiaa that the mere tni'chunism of our Parliamentary institutions hns been allowed )5 Bupplsnt the influence of principle, aud that tho indoppndonco of thai ulividiial has in many muliincpG benn sacrificed 10 |,lie nocessitieß of a pyl'lioai cliquy. Wheu thoy lmvo

thoroughly awakened to the dangers of the position they will most certainly demand 1 a change. Sow soon the awakening will i come it is, of course, impossible to say ; s I but the present Government would do J well, we think, to deal with the question 1 at once. Mr Seddon und his colleagues 1 are in a particularly strong position; j they are at the head of the most powerful • party thnt has ever been elected to the New Zealand Parliament, and they could mate very large concessions to the individual member without lessening their own legitimate influence upon the affairs nf the country. Party Government is entirely a mattor of precedent, it finds no recognition in cur laws, and it would be an easy matter for a really strong Ministry to initiate a reform that would remove many of the existing evils. AYe do not go so far as some of our contemporaries" and say that the present system is altogether bad. Party Government has a sound and logical basis, and if some iof its methods wore modified it would satisfy public opinion for many years to come. On the Ministerial side of the House — to summarise a recent writer — it invigotatea the actions of Parliament and tends to ensure a firm policy ; in Opposition it supplies a check upon the Uxeentire which tlte agency of an individual or of an unorganised faction could never afford. So much we admit readily. But while it does all this, which is very important, it presents the spectacle of ' factions and violence overcoming pat. riotism, and ambition and self-interest prevailing over the highest obligations of the Mate.' It is here <vo require a change, and if tho present Premier should lead the new Parliament towards a reform that will remove tho defects of party rule he will win n placo in hiatory among the foremost statesman of the colony." Even in England Party Government is becoming a subject of ridicule, and is made sport of in comic operas In tho latest Gilbert-Sullivan opera "TTtopia (Limited)," the scone is laid in a tropical island, which by the importation of .a variety of social leformeis from England, has been made a perfect Utopia,all disease, crime, litigation, and other evils being banished. Tbiß being bad for thorn, doctors, lawyers, and others are in danger of starvation and they arrange a rebellion. The leader in the reform movement, however, suddenly realises why it is that her reforming plans have failed to commend themselves, and she exclaims:— " Of course! Howl remember! Why, I had forgotten the most important, the most vital aad the matt essential element of all ! Government by party ! Introduce that great and glorious element— at onue the bulwark and foundation of England's greatness— and all will be well! i-o political measures will endure, baeanse one party will assuredly undo all that the other party has donej inexperienced civilians will govern your army and rwvy ; no social reforms will be attempted, because out of vice, squalor, and drunkenness no political capital is to be made j and while grouse is to be shot, and foxes worried to death, the legislative action of the country will be at a standstill. Then there will be sickness in plenty, endless lawsuits, crowded gaols, interminable confusion in the army and navy, and in short generalandnnexampled prosperity." The King thereupon establishes Government by Party, Disease, ciirae, litigation, and all the other ills whoae loss had proved so disastrous promptly return ; and all ends happily ! Mr Seddon i 3 Km< in New Zealand, and the people of tho colony are looking on with unusual interest to see what game he is going to play,