The Saturday Advertiser. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1877. THE POSITION OF AFFAIRS

Saturday Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 123, 17 November 1877, Page 11

The Saturday Advertiser. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1877.

THE POSITION OF AFFAIRS

«* Bing out a slowly dying cause, ! i And ancient forms of party strife; Bing in the nobler inodes of life, With sweeter manners, purer laws. —Tennyson,

“ Why, now I see there’s mettle in thee ; And even from this instant, do build On thee a better opinion than before.” —Othello.

ODERATELY, temperately, and.wisely, the electors of h Dunedin, in public meeting assembled, have spoken their mind upon the pre- : sent position of public affairs. Their example will likely be followed in the various centres of population, and we shall be able shortly to form a tolerably accurate estimate of the current public opinion. The situation is at present somewhat -anomalous and extraordinary. The Atkinson Ministry did good work in welding the colony into one. If ever there is to be an economical administration of affairs, or a Government strong enough ■to command universal respect, it can only be by an Executive representing the united sentiment of the entire country, -while all local business is managed by local councils. But the Atkinson Ministry only carried out what Sir Julius Vogel planned as absolutely necessary for the welfare of the public. As a. •Government, the Atkinson Ministry had neither the ability nor force of character to devise or carry out such a reform. Their existence was a mere accident, and the moment that important duty was effected they became powerless to take further steps in the pathway of reform. They at once adopted a temporizing policy,' putting off important questions for consideration during the recess, and acting upon an effete con--servatism, totally opposed to the best interests of the colony. New Zealand -cannot afford to stand still. It is like a growing lad, for whose immediate growth constant provision must be made. The House lost confidence in the Ministry and they resigned. Before their successors had an opportunity to say anything or declare their policy either generally or specially as to _ finance, Major Atkinson, with impolitic haste, availing himself of the discontented expectants among his former opponents, -gave notice of a motion of no-confidence. He was out-generalled in the division, and now he has given notice of a second motion. Por what end ? Is there any principle at stake P The public are decidedly of opinion that the Grey Government should have a chance of showing their colours. The public have no sympathy with the bitter and rancorous -efforts of particular individuals to obtain power and place. What seems to be of huo-e importance in the foggy atmosphere of the House of Representatives, the public laugh at, and they scout with scorn the wretched and unsatisfactory personal intrigues and cabals which are going on. The public desire progress and will have it, and the Government that promises electoral reform, economical administration, a change in the incidence of taxation, and the adjustment of other questions in which the great body of the people are deeply interested is bound to have the popular support. Thereis no other remedy for tlie dead-lock in the House than an immediate dissolution. Preparatory to this, let the Grey Government have fair play to unf old.their programme. If a party can crystallize upon an opposing platform, whether led by Major Aticikson or not, -by all means let them hoist their flag, and the country will decide at the ballot-box which side they prefer, and at the same time sweep from the House certain intolerable bad rubbish now stinking in the nostrils of every honest man outside or inside Parliament.