THE COMING CAMPAIGN.

Manawatu Times, Volume V, Issue 121, 2 March 1881, Page 2

THE COMING CAMPAIGN.

Tn another couple of months the representatives of the people will assemble m solemn conclave, which, rendered into good F'nglish, moans to indulge m an interchange of rather equivocal complimeuts (termed Parlianumary language) and to scramble for the loaves and fishes. Ft seems to be a very generally foregone conclusion that before many weeks of the Session shall have passed aver the Ministry of Retrogression will have been sent into the cold shades of opposition, although opinions are by no means formed as to the leader of the pa' ty who will take their places. Upon this 'point, however, all are agreed, that if Sir George Urky would resign his preten-ions as leader of the Liberal party, abs-dnfely and for ever, the present Government would not stiind twenty- four hours. It H r as only tho fear of having to accept the late Premier which kept the present one from bein^ thrust from office last Sersion. This is a painful assertion to make, nevertheless it is true tq the letter , for not-

■withstanding his grand abilities, his indomitable pluck, his sterling honesty, bis generous self-sacrifice, and his admitted administrative qualities, there is no man on either side of the House so thoroughly unpopular as a leader as Sir George Grey. He is egotistical, and his egotism ass'imes a domineering phase which is the same to friend or foe, which makes it almost impossible for any colleague to wok m harmony with him without a loss of self-respect, or at least a feeling of subservience. Aware of his own abilities, and so long used to govern, order, and command, m the evening of his days Sir George finds it hard to treat other than inferiors those whom circumstances have placed upon a footing of equality. It is sad to see a man with all the qualifications and experience to entitle him to take the lead, alienate his best friends an' l most ardent admirers; but so it is. It is hard to think that an officer who has so long fought m the van should be stript of epaulettes, his sword taken from him and placed m the ranks to carry a muskt t ; but Sir George's own conscience must tell him that such a course is best for the cause he loves so well. Rumor has it that Mr. Stouts S'.'lf-imposed Parliamentary exile is likely to come to an end, and that a vacancy m a southern constituency will be found before the Legislative battle commences. If smch should be the case there is no question that young though he is, the late Atforney-(J-eneral would be gladly accepted as thf Liberal leader. Albough Mr. Macandrew is respected for his political honesty and admired for his abilities, the Otagon element — if we may use the < xpression — is so thoroughly engrafted into hi« composition that it is an article of his creed that Otago is the hub of the colony, if not of the universe, s»nd consequently he would find little favor with the North-rn Liberals, nor indeed with those m the South, outside of his own particular Provincial District. We are aware that that most promising and prominent member of the Young New Zealand Party, Mr. Db Latour. the member for Mount Ida, made a pledge that he would not accept office, but we imagine the oath would not be so binding that he could not j be induced to break it, if it were *hown that such a step would be for the good of the cause. With Mr. Stout as Premier and Attorney-General; Mr. Ballance. Treasurer; Mr. Hamlin, Native minister; Mr. Macandrew, Lands and Public Works: Mr. De Latour, Education and Justice ; Mr. Ptke, Mines and Immigration ; Mr. Gisborne, as Colonial Secretary and Minister of Customs ; and Mr. Buckley m the Upper House representing the Justice Department, we imagine such a cabinet would receive an amount of support aa would defy opposition. As, however, writing upon such a subject as the personnel of a Government that cannot be called into existence for some months is only dealing with probabilities, we will proceed to discuss some measures which are sure to come before the House at an early stage. We refer to the Redistribution of Seats and the reform of the Upper Chamber. With regard to the first, it will be rememberd the matter was partly dealt with during last Session. The various constituencies which bad increased m population so as to exceed the allotted population were manipulated and shorn of their fair proportions, to be tacked on to others whose progress had not been so great. This county, it will be recollected was m the first category, and a large portion of the southern portion of the constituency had been lopped off, and thrown into the Wellington county. We protested strongly at the time against the injustice with which Manawatujwaß treated m being deprived of two members, but it is necessary that that protest should be well backed up with instructions to our present representative to strenuously resist the proposed mutilation. It is" rather a mysterious but highly significant fact that wh<-n Mr. Macarthur, the Chairman of the County Counuil, interviewed the Government upon the point, the Minister not only confessed total ignorance upon the proposed division, bnt actnallv advised him to go to Sir William Pox if he desired the askod-for information. That the reply was not a mere evasion to get rid of a troublesome customer is borne out by the fact that sir William Fox wrote privately to a settler m this county, lonsr before the proposed divisions were made known, giving him an outline of certain boundaries and wishing to know how that would pIeRS" the persons affected. The people of Palmerston have always prided themselves unnn the efficacy of their agitation, and certainly this is a matter m which not only they— but every person m the county- could well move, if not, they will fi-id' their progress handicapped, and as population increases the nnly benefit the electoral district will obtain will be to find its limits narrowed to make up for the stagnation of her neighbors.