Hawke's Bay Herald unknown. POLITICAL.

Hawke's Bay Herald, 11 June 1869, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Herald unknown. POLITICAL.

Notice has at length been given of a vote of want of confidence in the ministry. The motion will be moved by Mr. Fox, on Tuesday next, and a long and acrimonious debate may be expected to ensue. We wish it were otherwise — that, in this critical time, there could be uuiou instead of discord ; but it is obviously impossible. The Government, though lately giviug indication that they have at length grasped the exteut of the danger threat.ening on the East Coast, and affording sigus of a desire to act vigorously in the suppression of rebellion, — have a terrible past to explain aud answer for. From the time of the lauding of Te Kooti up to a comparatively recent period, their course has been marked by a series of perversities and blunders, and the result has been scenes of bloodshed without parallel in the history of New Zealand. And, although vigorous action has lately been taken, have the results been commensurate with the enormous army that has been raised, and the enormous expense incurred ? With military men we have no fault to find ; but on the contrary, much to say iv their favor. They havea shewn a bravery and endurance, of h rdship to which history will yet do full justice. But they have had little chance of success or distinction in the blundering political hands to which a hard fate has consigned them. And not the least blunder was the dismissal of Mr. M'Leau. A tithe of. the energy now exhibited, would, in cooperation with that gentleman, have long since settled the native difficulty ou this coast. But the most serious, charge against the ministry — at. leastjof.t^e present date — is that their agents have "suc- | ceeded, in most cases, in converting the loyal natives into enemies, or ' something akin to it. They have acted as if a war of races was a "consummation devoutly to be wished," iustead of something greatly to be dreaded in the present weakened condition of the colony. They say that the natives are unmanageable, but the latter have not been so hitherto, aud would not be in the hands of competent persons. The friendly tribes are an element in the body politic which the colony caunot afford to despise, if it wished ever so much to do it. , A few days, however, will bring the decision of the country ou the native and defence policy of the present government. Mr. Stafford telegraphed on Monday that ministers had three of a majority ; our own advices, as will be seen, are totally differeut. Time will tell.