Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Quarter of a Century.] FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1902. SENILE PARLIAMENTS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 7216, 25 July 1902, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Quarter of a Century.] FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1902. SENILE PARLIAMENTS.

As the total life of our Parliaments is but three years, it follows that when it gets well into the third ycarof the span a certain development of senility appears, its teeth drop out, and as for its bark it can scarcely bo hoard. We never did believe in triennial Parliaments ; and if our members were elected under a quinquennial system they would still have two yeare to run, and would be fairly equipped by experience to do some good and safe legislative work. As it is, all that many of thorn think of is tho safety of their own scats, and their chance of getting back to thorn. It is a serious thing for an M.H.11. earning JG3OO a year and pickings to suddenly find himself out in the cold, and reduced from all tho fatness of thp land to a spare diet. Many of them would be far better off as carpenters, butchers or printers; but the honour and glory of the position has got into their heads, and they are spoiled for ordinary work. There was a time in the history of tho Colony when a stranger entering the House of Representatives would look round for at least half a dozennotablomen, "half-heroes," whose names were spoken of throughout the land with almost bated breath. Now, if the stranger enters the precincts, who can he inquire for among the even lot of mediocrities which fills the Chamber. Is there one who would make his pulse beat quicker? No. The "half-hero" went out when the professional politician came in. It is a pity that our Poultry and Dog Show docs not meet with greater appreciation. In this town arid neighborhood, it would pay to devote more time and money to poultry-roaring and less to horses 1 Masterton ought to produce a first-class Poultry Show; and, if tho Committee of Management had been a little less modest, the town would have responded to larger demands. Why not have had a special prize-list to wake up competition? However, wo havo to thank tho Committee for the wellarranged Show which it has given to us, and no do,ubt it will not object to a suggestion of future extension—say, guinea prizes for best birds in leading lines!