“The Press” In 1866

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31142, 19 August 1966, Page 10

“The Press” In 1866

August 21 The Stafford Ministry was ejected by that party in the House which has taken the name' of the Weld party, aided, for the nonce, by the Auckland members, who resolved to punish Colonel Haultain’s defection from their ranks on the separation division, and by a number of outsiders who had plain evidence during the session that the Ministry were too feeble to be entrusted with the government of the country. The attack on the Government was led by a member of the Weld party, and a majority of 62 to 2 was obtained to refuse going into Committee of Supply. The Ministers, to avoid the appearance of defeat, voted against their own motion: but the defeat which followed on a direct vote of want of confidence wgi none the less the work

of that party which seems to command a majority in the House. The invariable rule on such occasions is that some leader of the majority shall be entrusted with the task of forming a new cabinet. But what is done on the present occasion? Passing by the episode of Mr Moorhouse’s interview with the Governor, which he undertook should be confined to giving one piece of advice — namely that his Excellency should send for Mr SUfford again—we now learn that Mr Stafford has been sent for. We confess we do not understand this. We do not understand why the Governor should again apply for a Minister who had just been beaten by a vote of more than three to one, or why all those who are looked up to as leaders of the majority should have been ignored.