THE PROGRESS OF AFFAIRS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume IX, Issue 1097, 15 May 1866, Page 3

THE PROGRESS OF AFFAIRS IN NEW ZEALAND.

The " Adelaide Observer" has an article describing the course of political affairs in New Zealand, the recent changes in the Grovernment, and the policy adopted by each successive Ministry. After explaining the causes which led to the retirement of Mr. Weld, it continues :—

The "coming man" was Mr. Stafford, a distinguished member of several previous Governments, a skilful swimmer with the tide, and one who had always maintained his consistency by never [committing himself to anything in particular. The timid man in the Assembly who was afraid to follow Mr. Weld in the adventurous career he had marked out for himself, found in Mr. Stafford a convenient rallying point midway between doing nothing and desperation. Many others, such as the Auckland and Otago members, who had got their provincial corns trodden on by Mr. Weld, looked to the new Minister for revenge. These found in Mr. Stafford the logical opposite of all his predecessors had been. Because Mr. Weld had gone dead against Separation, they expected Mr Stafford to be in its favor. Because the former had been for sending away the Imperial troops it was assumed that the latter would endeavor to retain them —getting their services for nothing, if possible ; but at the worst having to pay the Horse G-uards £40 per head for them. Because the old cry had been "self-reliance," cash payments, and additional taxation, it was inferred the only alternative to it would bo retrenchment, cheap government, and taking things easy. Unquestionably Mr Stafford's own proclivities had been in the latter direction when he took up the re ms of government, but events have played so fast and loose on his pliant conscience that he finds himself in almost the same position that his predecessors in office were driven from. The two recent campaigns on the East and West Coast have proved the superiority of Colonial, to Imperial troops in bush fighting. General Chute owed his

ariprecederited success to abandoning Tr?<7«le of* warfajre, ancL einplovzog -fctta-t; nZOQQOI Ufintftoi «n« •..(•O-β

of the Natives- Hβ -used, piemen where General Cameron tried in yam to operate with artillery. He " rusted" pahs at daybreak, with a handful of men, which a -whole regiment could, not have carried at any other time. The rebellious districts from Wanganui to Taranaki on the one side, and from Hawke's Bay to Wakatane on the other, have been virtually cut through, and a death wound given to the rebellion. This specimen of the results of " self-reliance " has had its due effect on Mr Stafford, and at his last public appearance he declared for the immediate withdrawal of the troops. Like Mr. Weld, he now believes in making a temporary sacrifice for the sake of getting one's dirty linen washed at home instead of by fastidious professionals like G-eneral Cameron. His practical acquaintance with the Treasury has also done him good. He talks no more so much about economy and the right of the provinces to the surplus revenue of the Central Government, but he says a great deal instead on the necessity of financial reorganization, for which purpose he intends, if the new Parliament will allow him, to revive Mr. Weld's moribund stamp duties and to weight them as occasion may require with an income tax. As to separation, the Aucklanders and Otago men may have it if they will, but for his part he would depreciate it as a great calamity.

When Mr. Stafford meets hia new

House of Assembly at the end of this month the Native "difficulty will be in its last stage. The financial difficulty will be enormous, but not unmanageable, should sufficient patriotism and determination be brought to bear on it. The separation difficulty will also be on the wane, like the danger out of which it grew. Enough, however, of of heavy uphill legislation will be left for that and many another succeeding session. It is much to be regretted that Mr. Weld, who, whether in .office or out of it. has been the moving spirit of this wonderful change, finds it necessary on account of his health to retire for j a time from public life. After standing for Christchurch he withdrew his name,and will therefore not be in the next Parliament at all. It seems to be a general peculiarity of New Zealaud Premiers that when ousted from the Treasury benches they cannot reconcile themselves to the cold shades of Opposition, but must abandon the game entirely. We could mention several who have stood at the head of "strong Governments" during the past year or two, and are now hid away in private life. Amongst them Weld is invalided at Christchurch, Domett is superannuated at Nelson, Fox is on a pleasure trip to England, and Whitaker is minding his own business at Auckland.