The Star.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XX, Issue 2320, 7 January 1893, Page 2

The Star.

(PUBLIHHKD DAILY.)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1893.

A NEIGHBOR'S DIFFICULTIES.

Very often we come aoross reading in the Australian papers wbioh gives a far dearer insight into the difficulties of the position over there than is to be gained from tbe cables whioh announce deficiencies and financial straits of various kinds. The news by cable yesterday that tbe Colonial Treasurer of Victoria, Sir Graham Berry, bas given up his position and returns to England as Agent-General may be taken as an ndication that he has abandoned tbe problem of making ends meet, as beyond his skill or power of work. He entered office a short time ago, and it was hoped that by a touch of bis old power he would restore confidence and soon fill up the gaping deficit ; but like Sir Julius Vogel, who came to give New Zealand " another chance," and simply injured his own reputation, Sir Graham Berry has entirely failed. A recent issue of the Australasian describes a scene in Parliamentary life, which pictures the gravity of tbe position very lucidly. It seems that some, three weeks ago tbe Ministry found themselves pressed by difficulty to such an extent that tbeir combined wisdom was baffled, and they had to consult the leader of the Opposition as to what should be done to preserve tbe credit of the colony. The interview was for a time kept Beoret, but the gravity of the situation was an open seoret, and marvellous stories of the interview got abroad. Tbe writer of the sketch referred to says the stories " were not given by the actors in tbe scene, and tbey need not be repeated. But tbe episode of the leader of the Opposition being consulted as arbiter by the Government, at the most critical period, and upon the most delicate question of the session, speaks for itself. The incident is without precedent, and if Ministers had not complete confidence in the ability and the loyalty of the Opposition leader — and of his power to sway the House — it would not have been possible. Tbe temptation for an Opposition attaok was enormous, for the breakdown which they unhesitatingly predicted has ocourred. A deficiency of £600,000 in five months and no money left to go on with is just a little more gloomy than what the expert 9 foretold. In July the Treasurer was Charles Mathews in • Tbe Practical Man ' —jumping on a table, waving a flag, and propounding a scheme which should pay off every creditor and easily leave a handsome surplus. And in December, also, he is like the Practical Man, who exclaims at the end of the piece, 'By jove ! Worse off than ever II 11I 1 ... To Mr. Downes Carter and Mr. Harper there must have opened tbe possibility of fine exposure and of a reiteration of wholesome truths as to how the finances ought to be managed. Sir Bryan was longing to be at them. Mr. M'lntyro is never easy to keep in. But it is a proof of the discipline of the Opposition that scarcely a word was said, and that criticism of the finances was not attempted. Tbe news had got round that the Treasurer had * something deplorable ' to communicate, and the Opposition members Were trooping to tbe House in tbe full expectation of a vote to put new men into ofike, but tbey were met by the words, f Jt'ajioo bad for that. The money mus^ be had. Oar duty is to pay the pnjblic creditor and maintain the public credit.' And discipline Btood the Btram." In these days when so muoh is heard about the iniquity of party government, such an incident h worthy of record, because it is something to be placed to tbe credit of the party system. True men will ever be colonists first, and party politicans afterwards. Tbe sequel, howt ever, is that Sir Graham Berry has had to make way for a younger man, and it may be pretty oertainly accepted that be now ! makes his final bow from political life.