The Star. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1868.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 102, 10 September 1868, Page 2

The Star. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1868.

Ih the Timaru Herald of yesterday, we find some telegraphic news from a Wellington correspondent of that journal. There are reasons for believing that at least some of the news is substantially correct, and our readers will be interested in knowing what the intelligence i-^. The following is a summary of the news : — Bills are to be brought down by fche Government to do away with the legislative powers of Provincial Councils, also to cause Superintendents to be chosen by Provincial Councils. Counties are proposed to be established on a petition signed by the majority of Provincial Councils. Some of the Government supporters wished the establishment of counties to rest with the majority of the people of the district wishing for county organization. The question, therefore, is for the time left open. A separate measure is to be proposed for creating Timaru, Wanganui, and Oamaru into «ounties, with fifty per cent, of their revenue. The Government will adopt amendments in its finance policy by its supporters, but will stand or fall on fche scheme as a whole. Ifc is said to be probable that the Government will be defeated on Mr Fox's resolution, as there have been, ifc is rumoured, several defections from the Government Benches. Meetings and counter meetings have been held. Messrs Curtis, Ormond, M'Lean, Tareha Patterson (Maori), and Russell are said to have seceded. The Government have adopted the county scheme, and if defeated, they will dissolve with a good cry, and go to the country vrith a policy. The most important points in the above aro undoubtedly those relating to the probable defeat of the Ministry, and the course they are prepared to pursue thereafter. From our own Assembly news in another column, iti will be seen that Mr Fox haa changed his tactics materially. Instead of tacking a string of resolutions embody- 1 ir.g a policy on to his " no confidence " j motion, he has moved the latter by itself. Now, there must be somej reason for this, and it is probable that the correspondent of fche Timaru\ Herald is right in saying that several members have seceded from the Ministerial ranks. We know that several prominent supporters of the Government were greatly displeased because they would not disclose a policy. Two of those named as having gone ever to Mr Fox — Messrs M'Lean and Ormond — condemned the Government in no measured terms, although they voted for them. Their defection jy, therefore, not at all improbable.! And the Maori members will go with Mr M'Lean. About Mr Curtis,!

Superintendent of Nelsou, a telegram received to-day leaves no doubt. From certain remarks made by Ministers during the session, a dissolution is likely enough in tbe event of their defeat. If such a dissolution does take place, we trust the peoplo of this province, and the Middle Island general y, will not lose tbe opportunity of making a very decided aud determined stand on the Native question. That, to the Middle Island, is of the very utmost importance. Whether Timaru, Wanganui, Oamaru, and otber outlying districts, sball be created counties is an altogether insignificant matter compared to the question whether we shall go on paying away our money, and allowing ourselves to be further tnxe^Jbr the express benefit of the North. The claims of outlying districts have been most fully recognised by botb parties — by Mr Fox and his supporters as well as by the Government and their supporters — and so far as they are concerned tbey are likely to get as much from the one as tbe other. The ouly difference would probably be, that Mr Fox would have a little more respect for Provincial institutions, and make tbem the vehicle of his dealing with the outlying districts. He is certainly no Centralist, and will never seek to take the management of our affairs out of our own hands, as Mr Stafford seems inclined to do. But the question — and we entreat the electors to bear this in mind in case of a dissolution — is tbe Native question. Let them make up tbeir minds upon tliat one way or another; let them agree whether it is to be more war, more loans, and more taxes, or whether they will refuse to maintain tbe quarrel with the Natives in order that the North Island may reap the benefit. Having decided, let them stick to their determination, and never lose sight of tbe real question.