THE MINISTERIAL PROGRAMME.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 118, 29 September 1868, Page 3

THE MINISTERIAL PROGRAMME.

THE LAND FUND OF THE SOUTH TO BE TAKEN TO PAY FOR THE MAORI WAR. 5.12 p m. The intentions of the Government are believed to be expressed in the Advertiser's article this morning which is said to have been written by one of the Ministry. The article says : — In the extremity of Job's trials, his wife counselled him to curse God and die, a piece of desperate advice which the sufferer waa too much a man to adopt. Probably every oue in his inner bosom has felt promptings analogous to these, in despair of some private or public cause which he has taken in hand ; he has felt momentary impulses to. east away the best principles that have hitherto animated him, and seek his own ease and comfort at the sacrifice of former aspirations and aims." Applying this to the Government party, the article advises them to adopt a " waiting policy," to " sit down patiently like the patriarch, and wait for that relief which their best efforts have done little to bring." It is therefore conjectured by the public that the Ministry have no intention of resigning, and that they will withdraw all the legislation they have no hope of carrying easily. The same article, in reference to Mr O'Neill's resolution says : — " It may be better for the South to surrender a portion of their special revenue, rather than incur new debts and abandon all hope of reducing the Customs tariff. The Maori troubles are in their nature more transitory than the land fund, and a temporary diversion of that fund to meet the temporary troubles might not be distasteful to the people of Otago and Canterbury, if accompanied by a visible diminution of taxes, although it would of course be utterly abominable to the local Governments." At a Constitutional caucus to-day, the feeling was strong in favour of grantiug a short appropriation with a view to immediate dissolution. Nothing definite could, however, be arrived at until after hearing the expected Ministerial explanations tomorrow. Colonel Whitmore (who has arrived from the front with Colonel Haultain) has published letters defending Colonel McDonnell. He concludes by saying : — " We want the mau who will inspire his followers with that courage which overcomes danger and accomplishes victory — and such men are generally called imprudent and indiscreet by timid minds, especially when not quite successful. Boldness in savage warfare is often the truest prudence, and precautions necessary at one time may be disregarded at another. We must leave such things to the discretion and experience of the commanding officer, and few can be found who unite these with more personal bravery than Col. McDonnell." •vJVon Tempsky's company have .dlrotinied, desiring to return to Waikato. Some have been adjudged six months' imprisonment, some discharged, and the remainder will probably be sent back. By discharges, expiration of service, &c, the force at

the front ia reduced by about three bundrefdj Colonel McDonnell is on leave of absence, owing to the illness of his wife. Major Frazer is in chief command. Cantain St George returns to th» East Coast, there being no present prospect of active service at Patea, the J rebels having, it is " officially " said, | retired to their cultivations to plant i potatoes. i Fifteen to twenty recruits for the j Napier Constabulary left here to-day. The uneasiness is increasing in reference to the Panama mail, there being plenty of coal. It is probably only a temporary breakdown going or returning.