Australian Tales - Setis

you are entrusted with, and which you have sworn to perform to the best
of your ability! Why waste time in needless debates and factious
opposition, when the interests of your constituents are in peril. Would
you not censure the directors of a joint-stock company, if, when they met
to discuss important measures for the benefit of their association, they
showed the spirit of antagonism which I observe in this Assembly? And
would you not expect to see their business soon go to wreck, and the
poor ruined shareholders looking woe-begone at their unsaleable scrip?
Pray don't let personal feelings or petty interests mar the general good of
this great land; but be reasonable gentlemen, ‘leave off wrangling, and
put the ship in trim.’ ”
I would scarcely have hoped to arouse every one to a sense of the value
of my semi-nautical suggestions, for some of the honourable members
might have been obtuse, and others sleepy; but it a majority had seen the
common sense application of my remarks, my object would perhaps have
been gained. What a few irascible members would have said to such an
uncommon message is, of course, uncertain, but the reasonable deduction
is not flattering to myself, so I had better not speculate farther.
But I wish to deal seriously with this subject — to say my little say,
and thus ease my conscience, and to some extent fulfil my duty as a
colonist, deeply interested in the moral and social welfare of this land
and its people, and I would express myself with all due respect to our
rulers, and without the slightest intention either to offend or to flatter one
of them, on either side of the House. It is useless to lament over
irretrievable errors, either public or private; but past experience should
help us to regulate our future course. Happy for the colony if all our
legislators have profited by the lessons which a careful review of past
misapplied time is calculated to teach them.
As I pen this rustic expression of my sentiments, “the House” is reopening
for business, under — to some extent — a new Ministry; and
from a careful survey of the list of honourable members, and a personal
acquaintance with some of them, I cannot but believe that there are the
essential elements for a good and wise government in the Assembly. If
they would but waive all minor differences of opinion — which, after all,
are not very distinguishable — and bring their collective wisdom to bear
upon the various matters which imperatively call for prompt legislation,
the effect of the past unskilful seamanship, and bad stowage (to continue
my nautical figures), may be soon remedied, and the crippled ship put in
good sailing trim. And notwithstanding the shaking she has had, with the
heavy seas which have broken on board, she is still staunch and strong,
and will soon begin to gather headway again; confidence in her officers
and crew will be restored, and the passengers will all be happy and
hopeful: while friends afar off will shake off their distrust, and heartily
join in the glad shout, “Advance Australia.”