THE FIRST DEBATE OF THE SESSION.

Otago Witness, Issue 1630, 26 August 1871, Page 1

THE FIRST DEBATE OF THE SESSION.

It was not to bo expected that any attempt would be made to oust the Ministry from oilioo on the Reply to His Excellency's Address. That there is a large number of members — possibly a majority of the House — opposed fco the present administration, is a fact which "was known upon the occasion of the return of the last writ at the general elections. But it will take sonic time for these to unite as an Opposition. Amongst the old members on the Speaker's Left, ancient differences have yet to be healed up before they join together in a common cause. That cause must include their agreement to certain well denned principles of policy, and the approval of one of their number as a leader. Looking at the names of the known opponents of the Ministry, it is difficult to understand how they can be got to work together under a common leader, But, somehow or other, in the excitement attending political life, oompronrises are made, enemies of many years' standing shake hands, and bitter words are forgotten, when politicians feel themselves called on to support a party. What person, a few years ago, who knew the bitter hatred which then existed between Mr Fox and Mr Vqgeli, would have believed that ere Jong they would pit tpgethpi* *,t $W

same Cabinet Council table. The Opposition, when organised, will most naturally accept Mr Stafford as their leader. His long Parliamentary experience, Iris ability as a speaker, his political honesty, his large and enlight- , oned views, and his many statesmanlike qualities, iit him for the position. His name has not been a popular one in this province. For sonio time he was held up to public reprobation as the bete noir of provincialists. In 18G7 the leaders of the ultra-pro vinoialist parly in Otago instigated the country to rebellion, on account of the centi'alising tendencies of the policy of Mr Stafford's government. Iv 1870 the same men strove their \itmost to remove all power from the provinces. The policy of immigration and public works to -which the country is committed, and for which money has been already borrowed and expended, will find in Mr Stafford a warm advocate ; and we have his assurance that on whatever side of the House he may chance to be, he will lend his assistance to shape this scheme so as to make it a safe and prudent enterprise, instead of a mere reckless gambling speculation. And there can be little doubt that in any opposition which is organised, no difference of opinion will exist as to the propriety of adopting this line of policy. As, however, this idea will also be found imprinted on the Ministcria trump card, we are led to enquire what common object cau possibly lead to the organisation of an Opposition % Perhaps love of office on the part of a few. Perhaps personal attachment to certain leading members of the Opposition on the part of some. But were oue to ask this question at Wellington, in the lobbies, or in Bellamy's, he would be told — distrust and personal dislike of the Colonial Treasurer. His colleagues have not many personal enemies. Mr Fox's sarcasms may have created a few ; but every one speaks well of Mr Gisbokne and Mr M'Lean. It may be said that this common motive on the part of those who desire to oust the Government is an unworthy one for any section of our representatives to entertain for such an objget. But it nnist be remembered that distrust of the Colonial Treasurer means distrust of the Ministry. ISTo one who has observed his career since he became a Cabinet Minister — no one especially who has read an account of the proceedings of the Assembly in the Hansard of last year — but must admit that his policy only has been the policy of the Cabinet, and that his colleagues remained in office merely to carry out his instructions. Mi- G. M'Lean but spoke the mind of the Assembly when he said on Wednesday in the House, when alluding to Mr VtxiKi,, 'his present colleagues were not able to hold him. They should surround him with men in whom the couufciy had confidence.' His friends and admirers may point to all this as being significative of his genius and power of administration, and that it would be nothing short of a national calamity were he once more consigned to the cold shade of the Opposition. As to whether this plethora of ability, which it is said Mr Vogel possesses, is or is not an advantage to the country when it is made to encounter minds of an inferior calibre to his own in the deliberations of the Cabinet, it is not our present intention to discuss. That he has brought odium on the Ministry is a fact, and while it may be the case, as his friends contend, that he has made many enemies because his principles forbid him to Avink at a job, still many of his party are free to admit that his want of tact and conciliatory power has alienated from him many supporters since he has come into power, and that unless he shows a marked improvement in this respect, he can never nope to remain long in office. % • Th,e first division of the session beajM an ojmiuous Japls fox* the Ministry, as jt

is known that there are many members absent who would have Voted against them upon such a question. The" fact that Mr Stafford, Mr Hall, and Mr FITZHEitBERT, supported a motion for the return of the names of jwsons not in the Government service, to whom the free use of the telegraph wires has been given, is a sufficient guarantee that the practice referred to in the motion is one peculiar to the present Government. The return, it will be seen, was refused by the House, but the matter is certain to crop up again when the whole question of the administration of the Telegraph Department is being discussed. Mr T. B. Gillies has already moved for the production of all papers relating to the cases of Regina v. Bartox, and Regina v. Lemon, with the view, it is understood, of bringing the condition of the Department upon some future occasion before the. House. In the meantime, while preparations are being made to try the strength of parties in the Assembly, let us hope that there will be no delay on the part of the Government iv bringing under the consideration of members those measures which were enumerated in His Excellency's opening Address.