THIS POLITICAL POSITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6297, 23 January 1882, Page 3

THIS POLITICAL POSITION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Mr. Bvowu, the Opposition whip, may be (juitc correct iu his statement as to the number of membcrsof the new Parliament that are opposed to the present Government, but the question is—ls there a majority of the new House in favour of any o-her person or party ? Is there amm in the Opposition ranks of sufficiently commanding abilities and who can inspire sufricieut confidence to consolidate the fragmentary elements of discontent with the present Government into one solid phalanx ? If so, the days oE the present Administration are, no doubt, numbered. The present administration nave not so long existed in virtue of their own strength, but because of the discordant elements of the Oppositiou. They have never led the House, but have simply adapted themselves to circumstances as they have arisen. The manner in which they have introduced their measures —played with, withdrawn, and abandoned them— has been something lamentable. I am, however, pleased to admit that their native policy has been a great .success. But by whom has tin's success been achieved ? Not by the Ministry ns a whole, hut by Mr. Bryce, The native policy which has been so successful is simply Mr. Bryce's policy, which ho would hava carried out many months before but for the opposition from the other members of the Cabinet. Thia would have saved a large amount of public cxiienditr.ro, a great loss to the settlers iu that district, as well as inconvenience to the members of the volunteer force of the colony. Most of the members of the present Government may be good departmental men, but outside the Attorney-General they must take low rank as statesmen. Perhaps there was never in our colonial history a grander opportunity for the display of a master-mind in our political arena than at present—-one imbued with downright liberal principles. We want neither demagogueism or even radicalism, but do want real local government—the local representatives of the people administering local affairs. We want also a. line of policy directed to the development of sueh native industries as will enable us for cheapness, not only to supply our own wants without increasing the cost of the article so produced to the consumer, but command a market in the outside world. Permanent prosperity and national greatness can only be attained and retained by thu profitable employment of large numbers of producers. —I am, &c, Ob.sebv.mx. Auckland, January 21.