The Otago Witness.

Otago Witness, Issue 1456, 11 October 1879, Page 15

The Otago Witness.

WITH WHIOK T8 INOOBPOBATSD THE 'SOUTHERN

MERCURY.'

DUNEDIN, SATURDAY, liih OCTOBER, 1879.

The Ministry formed by Mr Hall is evidently destined to have but a shortlived existence. The tactics of the supporters of the late Government are likely to be successful in preventing any Ministry being accepted by a majority of the House that is composed entirely from the ranks of the Oppo-

sition. The Liberal party— as, for want of a better name, we must call them — are held together by the expectation that, now Sir George Grey has retired, they will be able to win over to their side a sufficient number of those who voted with the majority in the late no-confidence debate, and consolidate themselves under the lead of the Hon. Mr Macandrew. Although the party have disclaimed coalition this would virtually be a coalition, inasmuch as men formerly opposed to each other would unite in re-forming a Ministry acceptable to a majority of both sides. If this is the outcome of the struggle we shall have the pleasure of seeing the policy we have all along advocated prevail. Sir George Grey will have retired to the position of a private member but principal supporter of his party, and a moderate and cautious line will be adopted by the new Government. Mr Hall will hereafter have his day, no doubt, but his present position is likely soon to merge again in the leadership of a strong and constitutional Opposition, which is as important to good government as a strong Ministry. Parties will become consolidated, and while there will be a general agreement as to the main outlines of policy, details will be carefully watched, and anything like maladministration will be carefully checked. If this be a correct view of the situation, the sooner it is recognised the better. It is possible an attempt will be made by the Hall Ministry to cling to the Government benches, at least loDg enough to make an investigation into the different departments of administration in order to ferret out abuses, and barb their arrowß for attack on the late occupants of those coveted seats.

The Native Office is, we believe, peculiarly open to be assailed in the way we have thus indicated. If report speaks truly, it is a den of iniqufty and political corruption. The late Native' Minister, Mr Sheehan, ought never again to be placed in a position to control Native affairs. His administration has been a conspicuous and ignominious, aDd, we fear, a most expensive failure. We believe Sir George Grey would have been far more su'ccessfulin dealing with Native questions if he had had a different Native Minister, but he has chosen to stand by and defend that honourable gentleman, and must share the blame of failure, and extravagance with him. The .post, however, will be a difficult one to fill, as it is supposed to require a man intimately acquainted with the Maori language and customs, and at the same time a good administrator. We are by no means sure that if the latter desideratum can be secured the former may not be dispensed with, as there are under-secretaries quite capable ©f being the advisers of their chiefs, and mediums of communication in regard to all matters of detail. It is doubtless of importance, however, to secure a man known to the Natives, and who would have influence with them. The Maori members of the Government have been hitherto mere ciphers, and we do not imagine that much is to be expected from them. Although there is no strongly-marked distinction between the professions of members on one side of the House and on the other, yet it is not difficult to discern some tendencies which will lead to mor£' strongly-marked differences hereafter. The party who par excellence style themselves Liberal are undoubtedly more progressive and originative than the other ; and when eight or ten men who voted with the more Conservative members of the House merely to turn out Sir Geokge Grey have taken their proper places on the Liberal side, we shall have on the one side a party of progress, and on the other a party of caution — two elements which have much the same relation to each other in politics as the steampower and the brakes on a railway train. Both are necessary to the desired result, namely, speed with safety. If we can only eliminate from our Parliamentary discussions the personal bitterness which has of late characterised them, we shall get nearer to what is the proper ideal of government by party. It is our hope that Mr Hall, even in opposition, will be able to do something to bring back to the Parliament of New Zealand a little of the dignty and magnanimity which has of late been sadly wanting. The country has declared in favour of certain Liberal measures, and against certain men. What has now to be done is to place these measures in the hands of men who will enjoy the confidence of the country, and not be suspected of ulterior objects in professing to carry them into effect,