The Star. FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1869.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 348, 25 June 1869, Page 2

The Star. FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1869.

As v.i!! be seen, on referring to our latent lol'3^ranv->, the Stafford Government hns beon defeated by a majority which is considerably larger than was generally anticipated. Few, if any, will '.-egret this result of the " NoconfU.iP.eo" motion. The Stafford . Government has long ceased to coin-xnan-.l public confidence, and although the Middle Island has liltls to hope from a mere change of Ministry, it is just posnible that the people may be now roused to a thorough appreciation of tho evils which must inevitably fall On tlr-i pars of the colony by per-fflsteii-..e in Lhe sentiment — for it is nothing more — of unity. On examining the division list, we find that the Canterbury members yotecl a- follows : — OPPOSITION. -JVEf-.XMEjST. Potts* liall A*nh-*t*ong Staff >rd V.-h-ju'k Wiison S •:■<•'.- *- Jollie. U..1;,8L0.:l b:',!<]ba\,<ie Ab-vnt— .Travers, Tancred. 3?U!t:-: r analysed, tho division list give.-; iho following results : —

Akc;i; --C*»ui<r»mry, 2; Otago, 1; Taranaki,! i ; Auckland, I ; Weetland, 1 . The above accounts for all the members except the Speaker, who, of ecu;'---, did not vote. The' caso seems to stand thus. In Canterbury and Otago, the Government is in a decided minority, which ■would probably have been in the same .ratio for Canterbury had Messrs .Travcri! md Tancred voted. The forsn.r, if \v*i may judgo from his more recent declarations, would have voted Trilh tho Government. Mr Tancred, •we pre -urne, would havo voted with the. Opposition. Perhaps, however, we znp.y do Mr Travers au injustice, in "which caso the majority against the G'Trernment in this province would hare been larger. Taking the figures I as they etas.d, it appears that twentytwo Middle Island members voted jrgniml and seventeen for the Government. The numbers for the North -Island are, eighteen against and twelve for the Government. It would be idle to speculate on what ■" 3-fr Stafford may do. Judging from lecent utteraacea, by himself and

one of bis most devoted followers, a dissolution is probable. Bufc Mr Stafford may very likely come to tbe conclusion thafc although the majority against him is large, ifc contains elements of vital weakness ia the want of unity and cohesion among the leading men. In thafc case, his game would be to resign, to advise the Governor fco send for Mr Fox, and to patiently wait the result. Mr Fox would, no doubfc, form a Miutstry. There are plenty of men in the majority who aspire to office and have some claims. Bufc — and this is the question — how long would a Government formed out of the majority last ? Mr Stafford could tell almosb to a day. Perhaps we may hear of a new coalition. „_____„

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