THE COLONIST PUBLISHED TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, AND SATURDAYS. NELSON, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1876

Colonist, Volume XVIII, Issue 2133, 30 September 1876, Page 3

THE COL ON IST PUBLISHED TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, AND SATURDAYS. NELSON, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1876

THE WANGANUI ELECTION.

The election in bia absence from the Colony of the Hon. William Fox, while gratifying to him as a marked recognition of distinguished services in the past and an expression of confidence in his readiness and ability to assist in guiding the Colony through the troubled days now at hand, is highly creditable also to the sagacity and patriotism of the Wanganui electors. The history of Mr. Fox's public career is that of the Colony. One of the first to take part in the work of settlement, and, from the earliest days of Constitutional Government, one of the most prominent and trusted members of the Legislature, party conflicts repeatedly placed him at the head of affairs. When he became Premier in 1869, the country was suffering from depression, which seemed to many the sure prelu.ie to ruiu, and the adoption of the Immigration and Public Works policy in the following year was undoubttedly largely owing to the reliance placed in one who was and is in the highest sense a iaithful colonist. The selection of able men as colleagues has always been admitted to be the most striking proof ot capacity in a political leader, and in forming his Ministry in 1869 the choice of Mr. Vogel and Mr M'Lean provided exactly what the country then required. With all his faults and spite of his recent errors, it cannot be questioned but the bold schemes of the then Colonial Treasurer needed only a little more firmness and administrative skill to have made them an unmixed good; while the Native Minister, daring to pursue his course in the face of unceasing abuse, skilfully contrived to preserve peace at a cost far below even a few months of war, and thus elevated the repute of JNew Zealand till its securities became a favorite investment, and immigrants were encouraged to settle, free from the long prevailing dread of savage warfare. The present session has produced many desponding thoughts as to the future. The secession of Bir Julius Vogel, the impending retirement of Sir Donald M'Lean, the neutralisation of Mr. Eitzherbert, the obvious decline of Mr. Stafford, and the impracticable obstinacy and fatuity of Sir George Grey have destroyed nearly all hope of a party being formed capable of acting as the indispensable check on the Ministry of the day, however objectionable its composition may chance to be. Wo one can effect tually head an Opposition unless he is recognised as being eligible to be Premier. Oratorical power amounts to little where there is not sufficient weight of character and experience, and, without disparaging m.any able men in the present House, it will hardly be contended that there is one outside the Government party whose elevation to the highest position would not be derided throughout the country. Mr. Pox will exactly fill the vacant place. That he will rush into opposition there is no reason to Buppose; that he will, perhaps unconsciously, be drawn or drift there can hardly be doubted. His two years absence has preserved him from being mixed up with angry debates and disgraceful wrangling. He returns with many old differences healed by time and will be welcomed by a large section of those voting habitually with the Goyernment, as well as nearly all the Opposition, first as their guide and soon as their head. It is simply, impossible that he can work ■ cordially with the Ministry as it is understood it will be constituted next session, and he cannot avoid a party gathering round him, whose ablest members will under him soon develop into accomplished politicians. It is too. often said that Mr Fox'n age will prevent him again entering actively \uijo political life. Those who talk jn way have only to remember, the years ofthe moat energetic p,f England's statesmen, and what many of the departed were when many years older than Mr Eox. There is plenty of good work left in him, and the country need not fear his readiness once more to come to the front, when he sees that Parliamentary Government is in danger of being smothered by the Civil Service, and the Ministry is lapsing into little mere than a Board of Works.