Untitled

Oamaru Mail, Volume XVII, Issue 5209, 16 February 1892, Page 2

The Government's real difficulties are only just beginning, It is lucky that the Government is composed of men who laugh at troubles, or the refusal of the Governor to make the Council appointments would have thrown them into a state of consternation. As it is, they were prepared for anything and everything in the way of opposition to their policy. All the powers of Toryism are arrayed against them ; and though Lord Onslow, in the excess of his amiableness, consequent on the fuss and fervor Avith which colonists have bidden him good-bye, condescended to speak favorably of the Government's policy, still he is Lord Onslow, the wealthy Tory, whose practical sympathy with genuine democratic principles would amount to rank traitorousness to his party and traditions. If Sir Harry Atkinson had been in office, Lord Onslow would not have refused to take his advice. He took his advice when he was practically out of office, and did precisely what he would not do for Mr Ballance, who is not only in office, but who has a phenomenally large majority at his back. The fact that the same person who made appointments to the Legislative Council on the recommendation of an adviser who was virtually out of office, now urges the appointment of his successor as a reason why he should not accept similar advice from a legitimate adviser, is another proof of the elasticity of the human conscience. Besides, Lord Onslow is either entitled to act as Viceroy, or he is not; and if he is not, by what right does he sign Gazette proclamations after the appointment of the Earl of Glasgow. It is absurd to take up such a position. Lord Glasgow is not and cannot be Governor of New Zealand until he has arrived in the colony ; and, supposing that the Ministry had resigned before the appointment of the acting Governor, would Lord Onslow have refused to summon other advisers on the ground that Lord Glasgow had been appointed ? The position, though not unexpected, is serious, and may yet develop into a political crisis. It is npt at all unlikely that Lord Glasgow may refuse to make the appointments to the Council until he has made hijnself acquainted with the political situation. He will be counselled by the Tory Press and by his new Tory friends —jijist as Lord Onslow has been counselled—to postpone acting upon Ministerial advice till a more convenient season. "We believe that he will not make the appointments or a sufficiency of them to give the Ministry a majority in the Council and that the upshot

will bo that the Ministry will ask for a dissolution, which .also may bo refused, in which case the Ministry would have no other recourse but to resign. If a dissolution were granted and a general election took place the Government, would bo retained with a larger majority than ever with authority from the people to swamp the Council and to ultimately abolish it. If a dissolution were refused and the Ministry resigned, 110 other administration could exist longer than it would take to turn them out. New Zealand would then be brought face to face with real political trouble and trade would be seriously allotted through political uncertainty. Is this what a man who lias just repeatedly professed affection for New Zealand and its people should desire to bring about? Hut, whatever may be precipitated by Lord Onflow's weak or partisan conduct, it i* certain that such an obstacle as gubernatorial interference will not be allowed to stand in the way of the accomplishment of the desire of the people of New Zealand. 'lira intend to rule, and, as Lord Onslow himself has said, " they have made it pretty clear that the land of New Zealand should belong to the people of New Zealand/'