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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1322, 30 May 1882, Page 2

So, so; tho Ministry and their friends have discovered one mistake that tlicy nude in counting heads at the close of the general elections, and their working majority has been reduced by two. \\c are told by " Jeamcs," who acts as the medium between Ministers and their organs, that the presence of Mr John Steven, of Bangitikei, at the meeting of

the Opposition tho other day was a surprise. Ho had been counted on by the Ministerial party as a supporter, and was so classed at the time of the election by all the Ministerial journals. But " the wish was father to the thought," and had those journals not been driven to straits in urdcr to show that the Ministry had not been defeated at the election, they would have classed Sir Steven as an Oppositionist. By the way, several Ministerial journals, notably, the Tiniara Herald, classed Mr W. J. Steward, the member for Waimate, as a Ministerialist. What think these journals now that Mr Steward has accepted the post of cbief whip to the Opposition? Where is their boasted majority of nine or ten now ? .It may be noted, too, that one or two of the more unblushing Ministerial clackers claimed Mr John M'Kcnzie, the member for Mocraki, as a supporter of the Ministry, though there wan no warrant for so doing beyond tho fact that ho told his constituents that ho would not ally himself with any party. It is quite possible that Mr M*Kenzio might have given the Ministry a certain amount of independent support, aa would other moderate men ; bur, if wo arc not mistaken, tho Government have placed tho question of whish side Mr M'Kcnzie will vote upon in the event of a trial of strength beyond the region of dunbt, though we never li3d any donbt npon tlio point. Mr M'Kcnzie entertains very strong views upon tho land question, and amongst the amendments he desires to see made in tho Land Act is tho adoption of the ballot in tho case of more than one application for a deferred-payment section ; the limitation of tho area to bo held under pastoral leases; and elective instead of nominee Lind Boards. Ho lias put the test ques(ion to the Ministry, and they have told him that they will not amend tho Act in the direction in which not only he but tho whole farming community, desire it to bo altered. This same land question, together with the fact that the Hon. F. A. Whitaker, of land-sharking notoriety, is at tho head of the Ministry, will drive many of tlio doubtful ones iuto the Opposition fold, especially if it can bo shown that a Ministry composed of moderate men can be found to succeed the present ill-assorted crew.