Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7161, 29 October 1884, Page 4

As will be seen from our Parliamentary reports and correspondence, the Government have considerably modified the dictatorial tone they assumed on Friday night last, and repeated on the Monday following. The necessity for their so doing would to a certain extent be made evident to them by the action of Sir George Grey in calling attention to their attitude, and the remarks made regarding it, both by him and by other members of the House. From the little that was then said they would perceive that there was at least some risk in attempting to compel members into supporting the Ministry in a course they disapproved ; but they would yet, in all probability, have disregarded any such warning had they been assured that their own party would blindly follow them. At the caucus of their supporters yesterday morning, however, there was a marked absence oE that unanimity necessary to give them confidence. Of those present little more than half were prepared to aid them in carrying the resolution of which they had given notice respecting the District Railways Leasing and Purchasing Bill by which they sought, somewhat unconstitutionally, to circumvent the action of the legislative Council in rejecting that measure. The want of .unity among their followers thus disclosed could not fail to show the Ministry that they must considerably abate their pretensions, and the probability now is that they will see the propriety of either withdrawing the resolution altogether, or of so modifying it as to obviate the general aversion which it has awakened in the House. One unmistakable evidence of the change in their attitude which they have been constrained to make was furnished yesterday in the Legislative Council in connection with the recommittal of the East and West Coa3t Railway Bill. The object of the recommittal was generally supposed to be for the purpose of introducing some additional clause to neutralise the effect of the made thereon by the Council. Nothing of this nature wa3 . attempted, however; and, when the Bill was returned to the House, the amendments were agreed to without the slightest opposition. Sir Julius "Yogel did indeed say that the Ministry would not hold themselves responsible for the Bill, as it now stood, proving a success. This, however, wa3 only making a virtue ol necessity, for it may now be taken for granted that, notwithstanding all their bold talk, the Ministry are not disposed either to resign office or to appeal to the country on any of the questions at issue.