TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1884.

Waipawa Mail, Volume VI, Issue 680, 19 August 1884, Page 2

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1884.

A Ministry has been formed, but it can scarcely be said that Sir Julius Vogel has accomplished the task. Had he been able to do so, he would undoubtedly have been the Premier, but the real fact is that the various sections in the House could not agree, and it finally ended in the various groups of the Opposition forming a Government, in which Sir Julius Vogel, was included. In support of this view the names show that as the Auckland group would have nothing to do with Sir Julius, they are not represented. For the whole of the North Island we have only Sir Geo. Whitmore and Mr Ballance, but the first is not much as a politician, and the other has yet to win his spurs, but he is possessed of those progressive principles which are as eternal as the laws of Nature, and has ability equal to any other man in the Cabinet, although not great as a debater. The only other name which calls for special remark in the new Ministry is Mr Pic hard son ; he may be a great administrator, but to hear him in the House, no one would expect him to be great at anything. He is an overrated man, and time will show whether he is not simply a contractor with sufficient knowledge to confound colleagues whose experience has been confined to pens and paper, who could not distinguish the valve of a locomotive from the handle of a shunting switch. Let us review the situation and the prospect. Sir George Grey will have nothing to do with any Ministry of which Vogel is a member, and in this course we feel sure he will be supported by the best thought of the country. What will they think of us in England, where Sir Julius Vogel’s career for the last five years is so well known. When not living on the colony, he has been following the calling of a promoter of companies ; and it is said that not one of these has proved a success, nor have the shareholders outside of the promoters and directors of any of them derived any benefit; herein will be found the key to the position held by him in the London world. While there he was a Conservative and worked with them, in the vain endeavour to secure a seat in Parliament. The general opinion in Wellington appears to be that the curious combination cannot last long under any circumstances. Both Sir Julius Vogel and Mr Macandrew are in precarious health, and we doubt very much that a StoutBallance Ministry would last long. It is difficult to predicate the policy of the new Ministry, even in the light of the principles held by the members ; for, while both those last named have much in common, they differ widely on essential grounds, as for instance on the question of the Land Tax, consequently we are not likely to have that made a burning question by them. What appears very likely is that the question of a Bailway Board will be pressed, and looking at the composition of the Ministry, it will most probably be a Southern Board. If it does eventuate, it will be but the first step towards financial and probably political separation. The Chauvinism of the two Southern cities is something remarkable. As far as the North Island is concerned, separation will do us no harm, however much from a sentimental point of view it is to be deprecated ; but if it must be, it is better that it should take place before the feelings of the two islands became absolutely hostile, which is the present tendency,and the Ministry as at present constituted will aggra-

vate this feeling. The Otago Central Bailway will be pushed on to its completion ; certain private railways will be taken over, possibly both the East and West Coast lines will be constructed, while every effort will be made to convey and put under Southern influence every department. To this policy Mr Ballance can offer no hindrance, he is but one. They may transfer the political power to the South, but they cannot transfer our climate, and fertility of our land, or our secure and spacious harbours. But we do not fear the ability of the Ministry to injure the North greatly, or greatly advantage the South. It is too incongruous in its materials to effect either much evil or much good.

We have been accused of misrepresenting the opinions of some of our leading settlers in the district on the subject of the Napier Harbour Board’s Bill ; with regard to the area that ought to be rated ; or in regard to the advantages of a Breakwater at Napier. If we have done so, it has been unwittingly, and we wish to put this matter to the test. Our own opinion is decidedly in favour of a Breakwater at Napier, without regard to the cost of construction, but as we are anxious to show what the opinions of the people at large may be, and to remove any misconceptions, we invite correspondence on tUe whole subject, and would urge upon any person who has any views thereon to avail themselves of our columns to ventilate them, whether in accord with our own or not. Our only object is to explain away any misunderstandings and promote united action in regard to this important movement.