The Daily Telegraph WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1881.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 2991, 26 January 1881, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1881.

Some of the leading journals in the colony are endeavoring to ascertain the present position of politics, and the prospects of parties in the forthcoming session of Parliament. In one respect all the papers agree, namely, that the Opposition was without any organisation last year, and that it has come no nearer to a state unity up to the present day. In truth, the Opposition has no common platform, and no leader. The Wellington Post scornfully says: —"We hear vague rumors of formidable attacks to be made on tbe Government next cession on the

score of their administration, and that the removal of the proclamation from the Patetere Block will be used by Sir George Grey as his " trump card." By Sir George Grey—that in itself suggests some grave rejections. Sir George Grey then is, it seems, the only leader under which an Opposition can rally ! If this be really the case, it is a very gr£r»i misfortune for the Colony. We cannot believe that the people of New Zealand will ever be so besotted as again to entrust the Government of the Colony to the hands of Sir George Grey. And yet no man can possibly lead an Opposition party with success unless he has a prospect of fair support if, on securing a majority against Ministers, he is in due course " sent for " by the Governor and undertakes the formation of a new Ministry. In short, judging from tbe experience of the last two sessions, Sir George Grey's leadership means inevitable disaster to his party, while his presence in the House appears to be fatal to the success of any other leader. It is true the experiment of Mr Macandrew's leadership proved an utter failure, and probably the result would have been the same, so far as he is concerned, even bad the disturbing element ot Sir George Grey's overshadowing presence been absent, because neither the House nor the country was quite prepared to see Mr Macandrew Premier of the Colony, which might have been awkward for many reasons. But, whether Mr Macandrew would have proved a successful leader or not had Sir George Grey been absent, it is quite certain that the presence of the "Great Proconsul" made hia failure absolutely sure and inecoverable. Mr Montgomery's name has often been mentioned as that of a possible leader, but his sole recommendations seem to have been his respectability and his harmlessness, for the qualities which go to make a successful leader have always been conspicuously wanting in him. Mr Ballance possesses abundant ability, but he has managed to inspire a very general feeling that he lacks " ballast," and is not to be trusted as a politician. He, too, must be dismissed from consideration as a candidate for the command of his party. Mr De Lautour's self-assumed prominence as leader of the so-calkd " Young New Zealand " Party has hitherto only excited derision. Mr Moss, or Mr Turnbull, or Dr Wallis, or Mr Shrimski would, doubtless, be most happy to lead, but we fear that in that ease nobody would be found to follow. In short, we can see no possible leader for the Opposition party next session excepting Sir George Grey, and yet his leadership must necessarily be fatal to bis side. He has never yet led a victorious attack against a Ministry in power. The defeat of the "Continuous Ministry," in 1877, was accomplished under Mr Lanarcb, after Sir George Grey had essayed the feat over and over again in vain. It is notorious that had it been known what would be the result of Mv Lanarch's victory—that it would be used so as, by an ingenious juggle, to let Sir George Grey slip into the Premiership, the Continuous Ministry would have been quite safe—nay, they might even have remained continuous until this day. This would have been a misfortune to the Colony, but a much less serious one than the two years of Greyite misrule, by which the lesser misfortune was averted. The disastrous consequences in which Sir George Grey's two years misrule involved the Colony, and the still more disastrous consequences which were so narrowly escaped —thanks to Sir Julius Vogel's prompt and courageous action—are yet unpleasantly fresh in everybody's memory, and we say plainly that we do not believe any attack on the present Government could be successful which might seem to threaten Sir George Grey's restoration to power. The relative strength of parties has not changed since last session. The one election which has taken place during the recess has effected no alteration in this respect, nor does any appear probable, unless through the secession of members from one side or the other. Failing this we may anticipate a continuance of last session's disorganization."