PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 6, 30 May 1884, Page 15

PARLIAMENT.

L.I. ■ I II I - - L-^^i N a few days Parliament will meet. What has it to do ? What will it probably do ? There is much difficulty in answering these questions, unless, indeed, the future will belie the past. There is much to be done, and yet the probability is that little will be done. Party tactics and obstruction for party purposes may be anticipated. The session will most likely begin with an amendment to the address, or a want-of-confidence motion, even before Ministers

have an opportunity of explaining their policy. This may be wise, though we do not think it is. Something is known of the Ministry, but no one knows anything of the parties opposed to them, except that they appear hopelessly divided. "We fear the interests of the country are likely to be postponed in tbe struggle of party. It is not to be supposed that we are supporters of the present Ministry; so far from this being 1 the case, we shall be prepared to oppose the re-electien of several of its members. But it is clear to us that, bad as the present' Ministry are, there is little likelihood of a better at present, and every probability of a worse. Who is to take the place of the present Premier and Treasurer ? Parliament is just now singularly destitute of a financier, and as to the other members of the Cabinet they are at least equal in honesty, liberality, and administrative capacity to any set of men likely to succeed them. We should be glad to see a change, were a change of Ministers to bring an amelioration of our present depression. But, so far as we can see, any change that is probable would only "aggravate this. For us the question of questions is the system of education, which, whilst it grievously oppresses Catholics, is inflicting most serious injury on the entire country. Would Sir George Grey or Mr. Montgomery do anything to abate this oppression and injury ? Nothing. Mr. Rolleston himself is not more bigoted and infatuated on this question than both these aspirants for portfolios. In fact, bad and obstinate as he is, we should greatly prefer Mp. Rolleston to either of them. He is in earnest, but mistaken. We do not feel quite certain that as much can be said for the others. We may be mistaken, but we are strongly under the impression that, if our view of this question happened to be the popular one, we should have the advocacy of both Sir George Grey and Mr. Montgomery. At all events there is nothing to be gained, so far as we are concerned, by changing Mr. Rolleston for either of them. All three are equally bent on perpetuating the terrible injustice which the present law inflicts upon Catholics. Then as to general policy. Where would be the gain to the public by a change of ' Ministry ? Just now the ins and outs are very much alike — in fact both are prepared to yield to popular demands, and we think it will be conceded by all observant politicians that the ins and outs habitually steal from one another both measures and policy. The only reason why there should be any change of Ministry is the principle, such as it is, that each party should have a fair share of the innings ; whether the public consider this a valid reason, and a correct principle remains to be seen. The great cry at present is decentralisation. Bat it is a mere cry — so, at all events, we believe. No one who understands the public feeling can seriously entertain a hope of eeeing Provincial Parliaments and New Zealand Federation. We regret this because we are in favour of both. But. is there any real reason for thinking that the North Island, Nelson, Marlborough, and the West Coast will at last, in one day, consent to such an arrangement. Indeed, we doubt if the people of Southland would consent to it. And if so, what is the meaning of agitating for an Utopia ? Would it not be wiser for politicians to devote their energies to lift the country out of its present state of depression, to provide in ■ some wise way for the employment of the people, to amend our laws, and to devise means of doing justice to all classes and creeds ? But no, instead of this wise proceeding we shall have a sharp party contest — a fight for place and power — whilst the real interests of the country will be left to shift as best they can for themselves. No doubt the people will soon have an opportunity of calling their representatives to account, and in their hands it will lie to substitute able members, honest and intelligent, in the places of such as may have abased their trust. But will the people do so, or will they again permit themselves to become the victims of loudmouthed demagogues ?