The Lyttelton Times. WEDNESDAY, OCT 29, 1879.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LII, Issue 5827, 29 October 1879, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. WEDNESDAY, OCT 29, 1879.

The decision of the Opposition towithdraw the motion of Want of Confidence and. proceed to business is to their credit. If anything could justify obstructive tactics it would .be the provocation which has been given to the Liberal party. They have, been betrayed by some of their most trusted members in the very hour of triumph. Mr Header Wood was a careful attendant at their meetings. He was m possession of the . mind of the party which gave him its confidence as one of its leaders. While he knew its secrets he appeared to direct its counsels. Its; general aims, its immediate objects, its aspirations, tactics and power, were all spread hut before him as a map. He and those who acted with him were looked upon as the staunchest members of the Liberal camp. So far from giving any Sign of wavering in their allegiance, they wore the air of enthusiastic supporters who, in the hour of battle, could he relied bn with implicit faith. Tet when their devotion seemed the they were conducting a secret negotiation with the enemy. It is not surprising that their desertion was the signal for the most indignant remonstrances that have ever been uttered in the House of Representatives. And it would hot have been surprising if the Opposition had not stopped at remonstrance: The provocation received was the provocation of an act of unparalleled political treachery, an act pre-eminently calculated to begin the destruction of all good 'government in the Colony. The! Small majority which that iaot has given the Ministry is not a working, majority strong enough to prevent obstruction.The Opposition in their resentment might have delayed the business of the country indefinitely, and delay would probably have given them a fair chance of turning the tables against the Government. But resentment has been wisely thrown aside. The Opposition has not been defeated. It has been betrayed, and it has taken a Resolution which shows that its leaders are incapable of fighting the Government* with ats pwn weapons. ; There is jpine'talk-bf raising the cry of natura>Uy) enough consideringthe circumstances of the case, but we hope, not with any temps intern-. mait r

J*; Attended t* ■>#»« aralvtufefytb Jeo6jfn>*® Its J^Wm6trat ( claims. . Though in the minority, the liberal party is strong enough to compel the Government to provide for the business Of the country. The principles of the Liberal measures are before them. It )ie for them to take cave that those are not mangled in their passage through Parliament. By aloaa attention the much-needed electoral reforms oan be scoured for the country. Spread over several measures by,the hands of those who do not love them too well, the reforms will need the most - careful consideration, and the fullest, and most business-like discussion. There is a Land Bill which, in the interest of settlement, must be well considered. It • should, amongst other things contain, when it becomes law, that provision for relieving the distress among the working classes permanently which Mr Mooandrew promised the country before the session of Parliament. There is an Election Petitions Bill, the only original measure of the,Hsll Government, the passing of which recent events have proved to be imperatively necessary. The Triennial Parliaments;Bp. foas been promised by a majority of Both sides, and should not occupy much'time in; th 4; passing. A host of subjects await consideration, of which the very names have in the late turmoil of party warfare been forgotten. Prominent amongst them are the Charitable institutions, the regulation of mines, law reform, prison discipline, Greatest of all questions calling for immediate attention is the great subject of finance. By exaggerating the deficit with which the country is threatened at the end of has placed in the huida of the House a goad to urge his Government tp devise a remedy which ahiWl place th?; ,; Colonial finances on a sound basis. The Opposition is strong enough to see that the inevitable taxation —for however much may he effected by departmental retrenchment and lopping off of subsidies, increased taxation is inevitable —shall be fair and just to all alike. In all, or the greatest number, at least of the subjects here glanced at delay would be fatal. Delay is congenial to the party of political rest which is in power. A'strong Opposition is the best quickener which can be devised for that party. Attention to business, close and unremitting, on the .part of the Opposition is its best hope. It will enable it in the first place to prevent the carrying out of unholy compacts. When the Estimates of the Public Works Minister and the Colonial Treasurer are brought down, the hour of trial for the Government will have arrived. If there is anything in thosie Estimates which is unfair to the Colony at large, the Opposition 'will be justified in opposing it by every means in its power. If the necessity for obstructive tactics arises in this connection, it will be a necessity lamentable but unavoidable. The consequent loss of time will be a cheap price for the Colony to pay for the cancelling of nefarious bargains. When it is found that a party exists strong enough and determined enough to insist upon justice, the days of political jobbery will he numbered in New Zealand, and until political jobbery is ended sound finance is absolutely Impossible. But before the time comes for., paying the price agreed upon for political support, the ordinary course of business will place the Government in difficulties. They must devise a financial policy, and a Native policy, and they must pass their measures. H they are found wanting, and a vigilant Opposition ought quickly to cause them to be weighed in the balance, the imperative necessity for grappling with existing difficulties and complying with existing exigencies without delay, must produce their rapid downfall.