THE PREMIER ON HIS LAST LEGS.

Auckland Star, Volume VII, Issue 2029, 10 August 1876, Page 2

THE PREMIER ON HIS LAST LEGS.

Through the maze of f. 8?' empty gush, and nicely rounded period^it is uot^difficult for those who can read between .he linesof 'the speeches of the Premiered his party, to see the beaming of the end. The visionary schemes of Sir Julius Vogel conceived in the bold and reckless spirit of a gSerutterlyi*^ have one by one fallen through, and left the stern realities of failure and disgrace. When first he assumed the re ms of Government he found this fertile Colony prosperous and contented ; and it was an unhappy day for New Zealand when the people, tempted by the seductive promises of a speedy road to wealth and greatness, yielded to the ruinous policy of headlong borrowing and sundering The sequel is that we are now left with an enormous public debt unparalleled ,m the history of any British Colony, and, with a few exceptions, exceeding per head that of InTSninthe world; with an injured Sit on the English Stock f"^* >. J revenve falling far short of the estimate; a stoppage of great publio works; a prospect of gSly increased taxation . and a certainty 0 more loans every means of acquiring funds has been exbasuted and even the sacred trusts of the Saving's Banks deposits and Insurance Reserve Fund, have been swallowed up in the universal extravagance. The teTacity with which the Premier clings to office is but a proof of the hopelessness of his position. With him no subterfuge is too meam no statement too false, no bribe too high! to secure him and his satellites m Ec and power ; for they well know the Sposure and ignominy which are » store for them when their opponents supersede them, and have at their command the means of tracing out the iniquities of their admims?rat on. Had Sir Julius been thwarted in any way in his career ; had he been frustrated in the negotiation of loans or m his fiscal policy, he would have then been able to throw the onus of failure upon those who prevented the execution of his schemes; but he has been absolutely unchecked and unquestioned: so that to him alone is due our present condition and sudden financial collapse. Like the barnacles which attach themselves to the wbale, he and the Native Minister have fed and fattened npon this unhappy country, until no longer able to bear the wretched parasites—we must, like that monstrous mammal, make a tremendous effort to get them off. No price can be too high, no sacrifice too great to free us from this destroying incubus. We have paid too dearly for our apathy and supmeness in regard to public affairs ; but if, under the banner of Sir George Grey, the people can be roused to a sense of their wrongs, and induced to take a more active interest in 1 political matters, it will not be _a lesson learnt in vain. In view of the possibly very small majority the Government will have upon the resolutions, any agitation or confirmation by the people of the steps taken by its Opposition representatives, will at the present juncture materially strengthen our cause, win over waverers ?to our Bide, and weaken and alarm tbe Government. I should be dad to see then some expression of public opinion which would show that we are not indifferent to the course of events, but are watching with interest and waiting with impatience. The acting manager might ronse himself, or the Central Committee take the initiative in some public demonstration of approval; and as it is the last straw that breaks the camel's back, who can Bay how much good might not come from some such action.—l am, &c, Ajax.