Victoria in Doldrums.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7008, 12 November 1890, Page 2

Victoria in Doldrums.

Thk Westgarth fiasco was fatal to the Government after all. The Opposition took the opportunity of raking up all ita sins, chiefly due to length of years — age ia not respected ia Governments anywhere. The Government had prepared for the storm by sending the Railway Bill to a Select Committee, which of course cut up all the railway projects transparently political. But this proved to be much like the conduct of a skipper who might, by way of making things snug against the coming storm, have the phantasy to cut all his ropes, saw his masts half-way through, and bore a number of holes in his ship's side below the water-line. The Eailway Committee simply destroyed the manoeuvring and • floating power of the Government ship.and Mr Munro marched into the division lobby with a majority of twenty disappointed patriots. The same attacks about dishonest finance, and bogus surpluses, at which the House has laughed for the last three years, brought the Government down ah last. The Treasurer's admission, that the country can do without a loan for two years, is the last phase of the unpardonable sin which brought about the disaster. "Farewell Federation," and " Protection, Advance to Greater Heights," will be the mottoes of the new Government. Bribery and corruption will not cease probably, for the new . Government can finance against the return of the day of borrowing, just as well as the old Government.