The Evening Mail. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1877.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 455, 13 October 1877, Page 2

The Evening Mail. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1877.

Thr names of those constituting the new Ministry are now before ns, and we must freely confess that we are somewhat disappointed. The Ministry is not so strong as it might have been made, while it does not appear to comprise all the elements of success. Sufficient consideration has not been given to the securing of the support of the moderate party of the House, without which no Ministry can now command a majority. Of course, it is difficult for us, at this distance from the scene of political strife, to know what were the reasons for the adoption of the course which has been followed. It is probable that difficulties may have been experienced in the formation cf a Ministry which would command the approval of all sections of the majority which ousted the Atkinson-Whitaker Government: indeed, we know that such difficulties have had to be encountered. Sir George Grey was the wrong man to fully overcome those difficulties. His extreme views upon many subjects, and his inexpedient conduct while in opposition, rendered him unfit for the performance of so difficult a task. Sir George Grey is in every wav au estimable man and a gentleman, honest to the back-bone ; bnt during his leadership of the Opposition he has shown a very decided lack of that tact so necessary in political warfare to bind together a strong part} 7 . Had he been the mover of the want of confidence motion upon which the late Ministry was defeated, instead of Mr. Larnach, the result would, we are convinced, have been very different. It* was through the action of the

moderate party that the victory was obtained, and it seems scarcely fair that the extreme party should have seized upon that victory to step iuto power. Such a result was never anticipated, for had it been believed that the ousting of the Atkinson-Whitakeb, Ministry would have led to Sir George Greg's acquirement of power, many of those who voted for the no-confidence motion would have voted on the other sidi. We have everyTespect for Sir Ceorge Grey, and firmly believe that he possesses qualifications for the Premiership to an eminent degree ; but we know that the extremity of his actions on many subjects has begotten in the minds of a large number of members a certain feeling of distrust. Whether he will now so modify his views, and render them of a more practical nature, as to ommand the support of a majority remains to be seen. If he does so, then his Ministry may be a lasting one ; but if he does not alter his tactics we very much question whether the new Ministry will remain in office till the end of the session. We have said that the Ministry is not so strong as it might have been made. No doubt many of the gentlemen chosen by Sir George Grey, as his colleagues are talented men, but for the most part they are totally untried. Tnere is not, in fact, amongst tiu whole of them one member who has ever before held a Ministerial portfolio, so that it would be extremely difficult to speak of their qualifications. Mr. Macandrew we know, and can trust. He is possessed of administrative ability, is a good debater, and carries a considerable amount of weight both inside and outside of the House. He has the confidence and esteem of the people of Otago, and will therefore prove a tower of strength to the new Ministry. Without his presence in its ranks it would have been weak indeed. The Hon. Colonel Whitmore will be a valuable representative in the Legislative Council on account of his large colonial experience and the respect in which he is held, and will no doubt command a large amount of support. That Mr. Larnach is not a talking man we all know ; indeed, as a debater there are few men in the House possesssing less ability in that particular line than Mr. Larnach, but at the same time there is not a single man in the House gifted with a larger amount of practical talent and business capacity. Mr. Sheehan has the honour of being the first New Zealand - born man who has occupied a seat in a Ministry. He is a good speaker, a very clever lawyer, and possessed of a large amount of knowledge on native afF.iirs. In this way he should prove an acquisition to the Ministry, though to some extent his position as the special pleader for the Maoris in the Hawke's Bay land disputes may militate greatly against his future usefulness as Native Minister. Of Mr. Ballance we have already spoken in the highest terms. Although a comparatively young politician, he has in a very short time worked himself into a prominent position in the front rank of New Zealand statesmen. His presence in the Ministry will be the means of securing to it a very large amount of support which otherwise would assuredly not have been accorded to a Cabinet of which Sir George Grey was the head. A good speaker, and possessing sound, honest opinions upon political affairs, he invariably commands the ear of the House when he rises to speak. There is perhaps no man in the whole House more likely to lend strength to any party, and Sir George Grey is to be complimented upon having secured him as a colleague, and the country upon having obtained Mr. Ballance as one of its Ministers. Who the seventh member of the Ministry will be is not yet definitely known ; but it will probably be Mr. Montgomery, who seems to us the most eligible of the Canterbury contingent. He, too, is a man possessing considerable ability, and is deservedly respected alike for his talents and his temperate manner of dealing with questions. As a whole, the new Ministry is one to which few objections can be raised. Sir* George Gbey is the only man to whom any exception can be urged, and that only on the ground of his impolitic action upon certain matters while leader of the Opposition ; but, in connection therewith, must be considered the circumstances which led to that action. It is very probable that, having succeeded in driving the Atkinson- Whitaker Ministry from power, his tactics will be greatly altered, and that we shall not only find in Sir George Grey the honourable man and honest statesman, but the careful and wise administrator.