The Western Star. (PUBLISHED BI-WEEKLY.) SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1881.

Western Star, Issue 454, 18 June 1881, Page 2

The Western Star. (PUBLISHED 81-WEEKLY.) SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1881.

Titk nnpr<-t of public affairs fit tire opening of the present parliamentary session is curious. The Ministry are strong; not by reason of their intrinsic strength, hut by the weakness of the Opposition. Mr Hall and his associates are reputed still to possess a working majority of ten to fifteen rotes. ‘ People outside of Parliament also aecord their confidence to the present Cabinet, believing it to be too prudent to go very far wrong, eV' n if it accomplishes hut little good. It is deemed a good Cabinet because composed of honest and sensible men, though men almost destitute of consiructre statesmanship, and borrowing by far the larger number of their measures fr.otn tither the neutral “cornermen” of the House, or else from their own political opponents. If, however, the Mini-try are weak, the Opposition is still weaker. It has no leader, or rathe'’ it has seven or eight, self-constituted leaders; whom scarcely any one is inclined to follow. Sir George Grey, by virtue of prestige and former position, might claim the post of honor, hut most of Ins own supporters in Parliament, though not outside, look upon him as “played put,” a strong man once but almost in his second childhood now, and never at any time of the slightest use in the direction where commanding knowledge is most wanted now, in finance. Sir George Grey was deposed last session, and has done nothing to regain the confidence of his party since. Mr Maeandrew was looked upon as the old knight’s best lieutenant, and is credited with more practical knowledge than his former chief; but his antt cedents are netimmaculate,and his financial extravagance, wherever extravagance is possib'e, serves as a beacon light to warn most people off from his proximitv. Then there are several other would-be leaders, such as ponderous Mr Montgomery, shifty Mr Ballance, flashy Mr De Lautour, and ■others whom no one hut themselves believe in, and who only resemble Artemus Ward’s regiment of volunteers, every one of whom was at once created a lieutenant-general in order to obviate all jea’ousy. No very startling or heroic legislation can be expected therefore from either side in Parliament just now. And we are not so-ry for it. Heroic legislation, unless very carefully directed, goes up like a rocket and comes down like the stick. After all our population is still less than half a million, and “parish vestry politics” are the best common sense for us. And a good deal of very excellent work may be accomplished within the narrow sphere to which we hope and expect to see our legislators efforts at plav. First and foremost of all, the finances of the colony will require the most careful handling to restore complet'd}' confidence in our stability both at home and abroad. Then too our educational system is admitted by all thinking peopledo be imperfect.aiul to need reform. After these come a host of minor questions which will need ad the capacity and knowledge that are likely to be brought to bear upon them. Major Atkinson’s advice to go to sleep and lock up Parliament House w'll not be regarded as advisable by those who think that the duty of a legislature is to legislate, even if it only amends past legislation ; far less is it likely to be palatable to those who are quite certain that it should only be acted on when they themselves occupy Major Atkinson’s place, or some one similar.