The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. SATURDAY, SEPT. 24, 1892.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3160, 24 September 1892, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 24, 1892.

F.qual and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

Sir P. Bcckley declared immediately on the Electoral Bill reaching committee that the Government had determined that it should pass the. Council without amendment or not at all. The council has made two or three not very material alterations, consequently the Govern merit is pledged either to drop it, or appeal to the country on the question. [n the event of their adapting the hitter course we are confident that the good sense of the people will condemn them. The alterations made do not involve any sacrifice of principle. As regards the disfranchisement of inmates of charitable institutions, it is of no great moment, the question involved is simply, shall a man who contributes nothing to the revenue, but who on the contrary lives on public funds, for which he makes no return whatever, be allowed the same electoral privileges as he who contributes to the revenue and creates national wealth >. Aside from sentiment we maintain that there is no argument why he should. Tlu: amendment of the Council, that a man must reside three months in place of one month in a district before becoming entitled to the franchise should meet with the approval of every man in the country who does not feel that it would benefit his party if the greatest possible facilities are given for stulling rolls a::d personation There arc other amendments of course to be. brought forward, such as granting the privilege to women to vote by electoral right. We believe that there can be no question as to there being a large majority of the people in favour of female franchise, those who are logically so must support any measure which will secure that the greatest possible number of votes shall be reached. The amendment to the Bill is the only practicable means to bring this about. When those who hold the Government reins of one power are determined to quarrel with another, history demonstrates that no matter how carefully the latter may conduct its all'airs, it is impossible to prevent the bellicose Government from dis-

covering or inventing n morn, or less |il.uisilil(> excuse for th<; withdrawal of its iunl>n.sSit(.lors and tlir; commencement of hostilities. Since tin* (lovernnuint, failed in securing suflicicnt noninations to the Legislative (Jouncil to ensure its implicit obedi- •■ enco to their majority in the Assembly, they have been compelled to modify their measures, an admission that the Council had the. better reason, to make which has been galling to those who are in search of iif'tuni'iits why the Council should be swept out of existence altogether. The "tread on my tail" style of the Colonial Treasurer can only leave one impression on the minds of electors —that the Government,as regards the Electoral Hill, did not intend to give way, no matter how wise and just might be the amendments proposed; that they desire a dissolution before time sufficient had elapsed for the weak places in their policy to become too apparent. Then; is very little doubt but that the decision of the Secretary of State on the question of appointments will go against them. This will remove the excuse which they have for not fulfilling their promises to the men who aspire to seats in the Council. If they force •a dissolution immediately they will be able no doubt to keep the prizes dan«lin« before their noses till after the polling and avoid the loss of considerable electioneering power, which must inevitably result from the publication of the names. The Ministry have been unfortunate in that they have not, in spite of all their efforts, been able to concoct a good sounding cry with which to go to the country. They are convinced that "Down with the Legislative Council : the nominee body which thwarts the will of the people !" will not do. The people are fortunately too well instructed not to know that if the Ministry had adopted the constitutional course as regards the appointments, which was to go to the country,that either, of the Governor would have bowed to their wishes as expressed through the ballot-box. If they appealed on any one of their policy Bills the electors are equally well aware that the Council, even as now constituted, would have passed the measure if the popular vote were favourable. Neither the Governor nor the Council will of course allow themselves to be coerced by a Ministry on the strength of the statement that they represent public opinion on questions which were not to the front at the time of the last election. If they did so they would give good cause indeed for agitation that both should be wiped out of existence. It is to the Governor and Legislative Council that the country must look to protect their liberties when threatened by an autocratic Ministry, backed by a servile, majority in the Lower House.