DEPARTURE OF THE VICTORIAN EMBASSY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5589, 23 January 1879, Page 7

DEPARTURE OF THE VICTORIAN EMBASSY.

The Otago Daily Times' Melbourne corretpondent, writing on Jan. 7, gives the follow • ing account of the closing scene in tt e Embassy episode The departure of the Embassy took place on Saturday, Deo. 28. Mr Berry declined the public farewell tendered to him by the organisations of working men, on the plea that they might hoard up their demonstrations and congratulations until ho returned successful, and consequently said good-bye to his friends and colleagues in a purely informal way. Tbs members of the Ministry, a number of members of Parliament, and some representative civilians, accompanied the delegates by train to Williamstown. Here a deputation of working men, on behalf of their brethren, wished them lon voyage. In reply, Mr Berry referred to his unwillingness to leave the Colony, expressed the pam it gave him to sever his household and other ties, and once more declared that he only embarked because convinced that it was his duty to do so. There can be no doubt of the truth of these words, since the undertaking is, for a Premier, a most perilous and uncertain one. It virtually amounts to his selling the fate of himself and his party upon the hazard of the die, while his prolonged absence from the scone of Government may possibly give rise to unnumbered complications. Neither of the delegates is ambitious of figuring in Downing street, but the course has been forced upon them—first, by a sense that only by some such decisive step can they prove the sincerity of their attachment to the principles of reform, and thus secure the allegiance of the Liberal party; and, secondly, because both Mr Berry and Professor Poorson fool the question at issue to bo really a vital one to the Colony, and apart from their natural desire to liavu the distinction of setling it, may bo safely credited with sufficient patriotism to make them anxious for the triumph of Liberal principles. Immediately after their departure a Ministerial memorandum was published, giving an outline of the case, which the representatives of the Assembly will support, as opposed to the manifesto of the Council. In this they certainly have a telling case, for they show how State aid to religion was maintained for 15 years against the popular will solely by the obstructivonoss of the Council i how mining on private property has no legalised conditions yet, although an agitation in its favour has been going on for 20 years, simply because it is against the interests of the wealthy landowners. During the short space of 22 years, nearly 100 bills have been thrown out by this body, many of them with the avowed object of frustrating the wishes of the people j four deadlocks nave occurred, imperilling the prosperity of the Colony, while times without number the nation has been compelled to wait upon the pleasure of a small class for the granting of useful measures. After such an experience as this, it need not bo wondered if every member of the Assembly and a largo majority of its electors personally resent the tyranny of the Council, and would sacrifice much in order to deprive it of its absolute veto. The Opposition Press, after being, together with their party, completely

defeated both in the House and out of it, on tins Embassy question, are still striving to cast ridicule upon its despatch. As Henderson Africanus was refused a passage by tho mail steamer, he has had to remain behind, and that attempt at annoyance had to ho discontinued. All thoir remaining energies, therefore, have been concentrated upon endeavouring to inoculate tho people with tho idea that Mr Berry and Professor Pearson have simply their own pleasure in view in taking a trip to England. Tho absurdity of s ll eli a criticism is plain, when wo consider not only tho possible results of tho expedition, but also tho labour it involves. On tho voyage Homo they have tho preparation of tho Assembly’s case, while at homo they will have to see to tho carrying of it, anti while on their return to arrange for another final campaign. The'” whole voyage will bo one of anxieties, nnd its conclusion will bo more eagerly looked for by thc ambassadors than by any one else. And thus, with tho Embassy despatched, and the last word of the discussion as to it spoken, tho country has allowed tho whole matter to sink, for the time all events, into abeyance.