THE HOLIDAY BILL

West Coast Times, Issue 105335, 20 July 1897, Page 4

THE HOLIDAY BILL

(To the Editor.)

Sir.,— -The study of the political situation at the present time is certainly a unique and most ' interesting one, although a most costly one to the unfortunate taxpayer. . The unique view of .'the position lies in the fact that the affairs of the country appear to be going on smoothly and quietly enough ie the absence of the Premier, that all important individual, holding, goodness knows how many portfolios, whose immediate presence at the helm of >tate is regarded by his obedient and slavish followers as the safeguard to tlis prosperity of the Colony. It is, however, quite evident that the world at large can manage very well enough without him, and during his lengthy and expensive holiday, nothing phenomenal has occurred, with the exception ot the floods in Hawkes Bay, to wish for his early return.

It is interesting to note that his stubborn determination to stop all legislation in his absence, and to have a free hand in his expenditure on the holiday succeeded. By the time he gets back he will have enjoyed fully nine months uninterrupted leisnre, visiting lastnania, Vistoria, South' Australia, New South Wales, United States of America, the United Kingdom,. andlfinally a grand tour of the, Continent. And Oh! My good master , at what au expense to overb'Ji* Jeaei Ne v Zealand, with its scores .of nnempioyud in every centre ? Yet we shall be told, when tiie bill comes in, that it wa3 all iv the3nfcelests" oL jvi enlightened and 'intelligent cemocra . . R 'rereuce need n n be mada to the abs:"i positions assume I tow iris Imperial matters, by the blatant Colonial oratoi. The ooraic. papers and "special correspondents " will soon set New Zealin a state of " h.-oarl grin " on the subject. Tha tutu- t Icongruity of some events ise.i >■•• j't t ; miika the wUola world 1 iugh, all excepc tha chief actor.', whoj presnmnbly, for ths fasa.-i will J^zz'e^ this terrestrial sphsre with their brillu-.cy and : deportment.' < ■

The lesson to be learnfc by N-iw Z ja'and h, werejit^iot foe the- e>v, • tin 1 ; the PreniieY J **musliE fiwelLUemaiu aivajr " for a year or two more, with great advantage to the commeicial and industrial interests of the Colony, which reqnires a long rest from his dangerous and experimental legislation of the past few yeara. In fact, Lord jßosebery's fears migjht advant-

of one or two of the Premiers would practically illustrate the dangers of self inflation, aud produoe a moral for' their successors. Still, 'there is no doubt that the astute Mr Ssddon would manage to wriggle out, even, of this difficulty, in order to pay the last token of respect to his former companions. Nevertheless he iB not missed in the and everyday's absence strengthens the proof that society is not pining for his return. I am <£c, A.C.C.