THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY MONDAY, JUNE 1, 1874

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1816, 1 June 1874, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY MONDAY, JUNE 1, 1874

We learn from Nelson that the newExe. cutive has been formed under the leadership of Mr O'Conor, who has accepted the portfolios of Provincial Secretary and Treasurer. Two of the late Executive hold office under him-ffMr Pitt as Provincial Solicitor, and Mr Shapter as Gold-fields' Representative ; Mr Rout of Nelson is a- member without a portfolio. It is somewhat that Mr Donne, upon whose mcitio^ the principle of responsible Government was affirmed, is entirely left out in the cold, but as the new Executive contains two gold-fields' representatives, one of whom is the responsible head, the interests of the Nelson Soutnwest Gold-fields are not likely to suffer. We have some doubts as to the capacity of Mr O'Conor for the important offices he has assumed, but the occasion often makes the man, and it may be the case in thiß instanced Mr Pitit is ayoung lawyer of considerable ability, and has latterly led the people of Nelson city in the direction of the ieform that has now been accomplished. Mr Shapter will no doubt be an efficient representative of the goldfields. '■ Mr Greenfield retires from office unaccompanied by, many regrets, except those of that old clique which has been the curae of government in Nelson for many years. He was essentially a redtapist "arid .nothing more. He had ueither originality ,rior vigor, and was a fitting adjunct to that laissez faire policy which has successfully kept Nelson in the background of all the other Provinces. Mr Sheppard, the late Treasurer, will not be missed. Some mysterious reputation for transcendent ability lifted him into political position, but he has not either as a member of the Assembly, or as a Provin' cial Minister, verified the estimation of his believers. He is altogether too much of a doctrinaire to be practically useful and efficient as the member of a Government, the duty of which consists in practical and vigorous administration and progressive legislation.

It is to be hoped that the new state of things will soon make itself felt beneficially. There is this important difference between .the present and the late Executive—^nobody expected very great things from the latter, but the people of the Province will expect something better than a stone from their successors. We may expect that the first thing to be done will be to re-arrange the Estimates, effect administrative economies wherever possible, and make the fullest provision for the prosecution of public works. The change of Executive will, no doubt, cause a change in the whole policy of the Nelson Government regarding the proposed loan. It can hardly be supposed that one of soj thoroughly a practical turn of mind as Mr, O'Conor will be in favor of burdening the revenues of the Province for the purpose of furthering such moonshiny and speculative undertakings as the proposed special immigrant settlements. The first care of the Executive should be to provide for the necessary wants of the present population ; by opening up a thorough system of 'communication, and encouraging in every possible manner that industry upon which the Province must for many years to come depend for its prosperity. We shall probably hear to-day or to-morrow what policy the new Government propose to adopt, and it may be hoped that the people of the Province will not be disappointed.