Mataura Ensign GORE, FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 1884. THE DISSOLUTION.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 7, Issue 367, 20 June 1884, Page 2

Mataura Ensign GORE, FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 1884. THE DISSOLUTION.

It was a matter of remark that the Government did not hold a caucus or in any way try to organise their party and avert the disaster of a hostile vote. That, however, they will no doubt try to account for on the ground of their love of fair play. It is evident, however, that they are not in despair and that they mean to do the, best thing that can be done for their party. A defeated Government has of course, aright to ask any favor from the Governor that it has any chance of getting, and the Governor has a perfect right to exercise a considerable amount ol discretion in {granting and refusing the requests of his advisers. The question that everybody asked after the defeat of the Government was, "What will' it be best for them to do ?" Should they have Sir Geobge called and keep him in power till the next triennial election to expose his weakness, and to give |piiblic opinion time to cliange ; or should they get Mr Montgomezb called, and make common cause: with the other parties, Gsey's, Vogel's, and Wakefibld's, to make him ridiculous for ever? Both of these courses would have savoured more of trickery than of serious business. The courses open were therefore, reduced to two. The Government eould resign and let the Opposition come in as. the Opposition and make the best of it. That best would have meant defeat, and a claim from them for a dissolution which could hardly have been denied. The other course was the one that has been chosen, that is to apply for. a dissolution themselves. The question was, therefore 1 , practically this, "Whether is it better for the party thait the present Government should obtain the dissolution or that their opponents should obtain it P" There is no denying that there are certain advantages in being in power during an election. The party in power is sure to obtain, without any direct connivance on the part of Ministers, a considerable number of votes simply because they are in power. There are thousands of people who pray for stability and who dread political convulsions ; and th«re are thousands of Civil Servants and others who prefer to bear the ills they haye to 'flying to others that they know not of. if the party in power does not itself misuse the telegraph, th« postal service, the Government printing office, and the Government steamers for promoting party ends, it has at least the satisfaction of knowing that these engines are not being used against it. We believe that the meeting of their supporters called by the. Government duly considered these advantages, and that they .very wisely recommended the Minisuy to dissolve if possible. The Ministry in acting upon this advice were fortunate in getting what was by no means a certainty — the consent of kis Excellency. t He probably considered the length of time through which the party had been intrusted with power gaye it a special claim to consideration. He probably also bore in mind the flisunion of the Opposition and their real or supposed desire for a dissolution. We believe that the announcement by the Premier that an appeal to tne country would be made at once by the Government took the Opposition considerably aback. They had been greatly elated by the rumor that Mffiirtiff s wero cleaning out their offices. We are inclined to think that the motion on the A4dresj-in-Eeply to advise the Governor to dissolve, was only a ruse. "Let us persuade the Go. vernment that we want to dissolve and then they won't do it ; we will therefore secure tha advantages of being in power. But the Government were old birds and not to be taken with cha#. Of the results of the election it is premature tP . speakBut we do not believe that the JS£mj#tiy will secure a working majority, neither do we believe that either Mr Montgomeet or Sir Geobgb Gjust will be in the next Ministry, unless by coalescence with! Sir Julius Voei*. That gentleman we consider is 'sure to be i» WW> next Ministry. He can do what no one eh^e I can do. Being free from the strife a»d j bitternesses of the past few years he can gather fl following of moderate men from all ranks, 4s for ourselves, failing the present Ministry, W(* can see our way to accept such a nen-G-JHrara* Government .as Sir Julius would be likely to form." We would welcome, ±or example,! the following gentlemen to office :•— Sir Julius Vogel, Mr SxpJJT, Mr Bjiyce, Mr Ballance, Mr Wakjsmjslp, and Mr JfEKffys or Mr JtticHAKi>sON. j