The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, SEPT. 10, 1892.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3154, 10 September 1892, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, SEPT. 10, 1892.

Lt is ail unbreakable law that under our system of Government the men who attain to the highest office, if they are to maintain their position on the pinnacles, must be gifted with iron constitutions in addition to strong minds, strong wills and patient industry. The list of statesmen who have given way under the strain is painfully long. New Zealand has been particularly unfortunate in this respect of late—two of her Premiers have succumbed in succession to the mental anxietj and late hours incidental to the position. We are confident that the Hon. .Mr Ballance and his friends have the most sincere sympathy of the whole people, regardless of political opinion. They have ours notwithstanding our inability to en-

dorse ninny of the measures which the Premier has promoted, and the ] sense of duty which has compelled : us to bitterly oppose their imposi- ] tion with all the logic and persuasion in our power. It is only the i mean and narrow-minded who deny to politicians in the opposite ranks the virtues of sincerity and patriotism, no matter how great the, difficulty of appreciating the line of thought by which they arrive at the conclusions which are the spur to their political activity. It appears to be inevitable that Mr Ballance's voice will not ho again heard within the walls of Parliament during this session, but it is to be sincerely hoped that rest and retirement will restore his physical powers to enable him at no distant date to reassume the position which he has temporarily resigned. If it be that the present party, miscalled Liberal, is to retain power, Mr Ballance's retirement is a misfortune to the country, as there is no man amongst his followers or colleagues who has evidenced the capacity to deal comprehensively with the finances of the colony. In considering the position it is impossible to overlook the fact that Mr Ballanoe is the only member of the Ministry or party who has had administrative experience previous to taking office about two years back, and no doubt Mr Ballance's break down is due to a large extent to the anxiety consequent on keeping such an unbroken team on the road. It has been palpable even to those who have not held the reins, that there has been a tendency on the part of individual members to bolt on reaching certain direction posts. "To Land Nationalisation " has caused the Minister for Lands to take the bit in his teeth, and the qualities of the Ministerial Jehu have been taxed to the utmost to prevent an upset: it must have, been painful to ths driver to apply the curb, bit and whip to prevent a gallop down the road he would have liked so well to travel. He has sufficient perspicacity, however, to see that to do so meant the resignation of his seat to a rival at an early date. There is frequently one of a team which has to be humoured rather than coerced, and Mr Seddou holds that position in the one under review. His tendency to wheel when "To control the railways and political power" was readied was not to be resisted, and down this road the team trotted, and will continue to trot until it reaches the bridge—the Legislative Council; across which all political j bantlings must pass before they can be classed amongst the living. The gate leading to this will, without doubt, be found closed and securely locked. To follow up our metaphor, there will be some rearing, kicking and equine strong language, after which the team will return quietly to the main road, having learnt the lesson that it is not wise to leave what has been proved a safe track for one that offers to the inexperienced the temptations of a short cut. The unfortunate illness of the Premier has placed the Ministry much in the same position as a theatrical company with only one trained actor, and lie on a bed of sickness. As in their case, the most assertive and not the wisest member or most capable actor would be tolerably certain to claim to play the sick man's part. It is hardly necessary to draw the moral : " Financial and political bankruptcy respectively."