The Clutha Leader. THURSDAY, FEB. 10th, 1876.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 83, 10 February 1876, Page 5

The Clutha Leader. THURSDAY, FEB. 10th, 1876.

Since the result of the general elections became known, it seems to be •almost a settled matter in the minds of those whose duty or inclination it is to closely watch political indications that there is little likelihood of the present' GovarmhentV'^ffliTg*"able'long to retain •office after the meeting of the General Assembly. When addressing his constituents in the Drill Shed, Dunedin, Mr Reynolds explained that neither he nor his coleagues were in the least •afraid of an appeal to the constituencies upon the' subject of the Abolition of the Provinces j but they dreaded the conse■quence of action which might be taken by unprincipled Provincial . Executives, were they not restrained from calling •Provincial , Councils together, and obtaining; large powers of contracting (but ■not paying) for public works within the provincial districts. The result of the •elections, however, prove conclusively that Ministers were either ignorant of •or disregarded public opinion regarding •their action . in the matter referred to. We: aUi along contended that only the people*had the power to decide upon a question such as that involved in the Abolition of the provincial form: of -Grovernment, and by their cvotes the -constituencies have asserted their rights in the matter. The question 4s now being discussed as to the course 'likely to be pursued by the Government An the position in which they find themselves /placed. It is thought by Tsome they will at once resign upon the •arrival of Sir Julius Togels leaving that .gentleman free to. reconstruct a Govera■anent with which to meet the Assembly. •Such a step however would indicate on •the part of those gentlemen a greater •amount of self sacrifice and patriotism •than many will give them credit for .possessing. It is a painful reflection, •and yet it is 'difficult to take a retrospective view of their conduct without arriving at the conclusion that their patriotism reaches to no higher or more •extended *a sphere than their own and those of their friends. To iresign at once would involve the abandonment of large salaries and all the •opportunities and influence possessed by Ministers .for furthering their own interests and.those of others] they desire •to see advanced. There is, therefore, we think'little probability of their tendering their resignations in the mean •time. On the contrary, the probability '4s -the meeting of Parliament will.be put •off till as late a day as possible, and that -the " Ueynoldses will retain their seats •until. tbey.ai?e. ejected by a vote of the -Assembly. 'Even were they now to rehire from Office there, is but little probability that Sir Julius would succeed ;in constructing a Government that vwould secure the confidence of the Of -him some very bad thiDgs •were affirmed during last session, and •that too by men *who are not likely to ; be deterred jfrom 'repeating the same ;*when they find themselves face to face *yith the accused. There are certain •points in connection avith iris action in •the matter ; of the negotiation of the ith* 1 four million loan which have to be ■*:splained. There are also small disbursements, amounting, to L 4,000 or so, made by Sir Julius, which Ministers were unable itb account for during -last Session, and of which some disagreeable things may yet be said. -Be*sides, he will, be called upon for some explanations as to his arbitrary and unconstitutional .action .in the matter of the, San Francisco mail contract — his •having, when Parliament was in Session, acted contrary to an -express resolution of the House, and involved the country -in a large additional burden for a service which has already proved as unsatisfactory and inefficient as others of his,- arranging by the same route. It is just possible that gentlemen who have •any 'respect for -their .political reputations would have a desire to see these and pther' matters, in a -similarly unsatisfactory, position, finally cleared up before allying themselves with Sir Julius -upon the Government Benches. A pretty general impression is abroad that .the Vogel-rocket has how reached its -extreme altitude, and is about toexplode. - Sir Julius gained and preserved bis popularity purely through money influence — his being allowed to borrow 1 upon ihe credit of the country, and to extend very much as ; he chose a very large amount of money. !In this matter *be got above' and beyond the control of the Constituencies ; but although they were -unable to restrain hi-3 propensity, Baron Rothschild hastnanaged to do so by- extracting fi*6m him what was tanta- : mount to a promise that no moTemoney would a be- borrowed', for at. least, two jears. Sir Julius', craft- is -therefore

done away with in the mean time. Instead of arranging for further loans what is now required is to arrange for paying what we have already borrowed and spent— -to set about meeting our obli gations. This, we believe, is what Sir Julius never thought of or intended to annoy himself about. A very different class of men are now required to take the reins of public affairs, and we have every confidence that these will be forthcoming at tbe proper time.