THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

Press, Volume XX, Issue 2921, 11 September 1872, Page 3

THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PBESS. Sir,—l read with much surprise the article in the Lyttelton Times of this morning's date referring to the monstrous proposals made by Mr Fitzherbert and Mr Bunny to the late Government. At the same time my surprise was much greater when I find that in spite of such an expose, the majority was against the Government on the late division. The Times brings this demand of Mr Fitzherbert _ forward as an argument against the Opposition. This admission is very significant, as the Times decZares that the . announcement by Mr Vogel of some of the items of the demand astounded the House. I for one may naturally assume that this announcement'mast have settled the minds of many who would otherwise have voted «ipmst the Government. I think this is the »ir inference to be drawn from the article, Written evidently with the view of showing that Mr Vogel, by exposing the nefarious demands of Messrs Fitzherbert and Barmy, convinced honorable members that a Go- - - jemment, backed by such men, was not.fit w> manage the affairs of the colony. This *«ws to the conclusion that if Mr Vogel had not made known the facta referred to, the rity a S ainßt tl *e Government would have ■" rt* m - ach lar e er * l it, therefore, that '»« article referred to, instead of convincing

those outsiders like myself, that Mr Vogel's Government has met with approval, does quite the contrary. My reasoning leads mc to but one conclusion, viz., that if it had not been for the effect upon the House of the statement of the demands referred to, the resolutions moved by Mr Stafford would have been carried by a much larger majority. I should like, with your permission, to refer to another matter, which closely affects this particular question, and it is this—The public generally rely a good deal upon statements made in the articles of leading papers for information as to the views and intentions of leading legislators, and these are likely to prove very injurious, unless those who read them clearly understand the position of the particular paper in each case. Now, tbe Lyttelton Times has several times written very strongly upon the personal struggles of Superintendents in the House, pointing out especially our Superintendent as a man unfit to have a seat in the Assembly, because the votes he gave tended to provide him with the means of living ; that is to say, he was voting as a provincialist to save himself from the danger of losing the Superintendency. I think, therefore, it is but justice to point out this is " the pot calling the kettle black." The Lyttelton Times has been vigorously sticking up for the present Government, and against public works being taken out of the hands of the Resident Minister, and why ? Surely it is fair to say that if there is a change of Ministry, the Resident Minister loses his little billet. •• A wink is as good &c." Your obedient servant, AN E-ECTOB. Sept. 10, 1872.