The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. SATURDAY, DEC. 2, 1893.

Waikato Times, Volume XLI, Issue 3344, 2 December 1893, Page 8

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

SATURDAY, DEC. 2, 1893.

It is an axiom that under the svsv tem of party government a strong opposition is a necessity if evil is not to result. There 1 are always two sides to every question and ! it is manifestly beneficial that both should be placed before Parliament and the country. The result of the elections' has given the combined Liberal party a large majority. There is this: redeeming feature in the position, there are two leaders, each with a following. This will to some extent secure that the measures of the' Government, will 'be criticised by Liberals not owing or acknowledging, allegiance to the Ministerial bench. Were it not for this split on certain questions Mr Seddon, by the exercise of party discipline, would be an autocrat indeed. The Council, once made subservient to his will by the appointment of ! pledged supporters in sufficient numbers, Parliament would no longer be a protection tothe people, and might becomeJthe means of curtailing: their liberties and rights, or those of a section of them. The punishment of expulsion from office of Ministers and the re* jection of members by their constituencies would no doubt, follow, but what an infinity of mischief there might be to repair. Although there is a very large majority on 1 one side of .. .the House the' J danger wo point to f is modified.by the fact that there' is one leader by right of possession and another by right of prestige, each with ? an ( almost .equally numerous following, and Sir Robert Stout has already denounced some of the policy measures from which only the intervention of the , Council saved the

Equal and exact justice to ail men. Of whatsoever state or persuasioa, religious or political. V

country! / The Council-. is to be brought into "harmony with the i popular will" -which, being interpreted, 1 means swamped-*'by mon who : will ,be subservient to that of the 1 Premier and his majority.';. When'they accept appointments to the Council they will da sb with a full- knowledge that they are expected to vote forthe measures, and' 1 their 1 acceptance 1 "of seats x and £l5O per annum will imply > proval without, any direct compact;being entered ■ into, otherwise where' does the " harm9ny ' ; ; cpme in ? 'They 'would: pouQciliprS; under false' pretences. The present: position and 1 the 'possible results afford 1 strong: 1 evidence 1 iii 7 support of the :substitution, of, some other system 1 tor' par Gtpyernment. ' The elec

tion of Ministers from and by the members returned by the people , appears to us the uiost practical » ' road out of' the| difficulty-! /This would relieve members, of thr ties of party and lead to each expressing his opinion and voting as his opinion dictates; / It would in addition lead to men being returned more on the strength . of their opinions, personal character, and ability than-is at present the case. To return men pledged to* support a given leader is injurious to the country and 'degrading to constituents and members alike.