The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1879.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 201, 3 July 1879, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1879.

"When Sir George Grey on his great tour suggested that even Cabinet meetings should be open to reporters, probably lie did not anticipate furnishing newspapers with scenes such as that which is alleged to have taken place at a recent seance, when the wrathful Premier sent a mild, messenger in to eject from the Council room a Minister of the Crown, Surely Sir George ought to wear a turban and slippers, and live in a land where he could call upon his slaves to apply the bowstring or bastinado on all malcontents. It is possible Mr Ballanco may, to use a Colonial expression, have 'cheeked' his highness, but what of that?. Did not Sir George himself 'cheek' the late Governor, and what would he have said if the noble Marquis had sent in a housemaid to drive him forth with a broom? Yet such a treatment would not have been move ignominious than the conduct of the Premier towards Mr Ballance; and then after, as it were, kicking the Colonial Treasurer downstairs, writing to ask him up again; this was very silly and childish! Mr Ballance has certainly been the Jonah of Sir George's vessel, but now he is

overboard the Premier finds' the rest'of his crew would like to be Jonah, and jump after. We trust Sir George will, before it is too late, discover that he himself is the real Jonah, and throw himself into the jaws of his. Kawau whale, He can hardly doubt that the majority of members in the Parliament about to assemble has no confidence in him personally, and he must be as fanatical as To'Whiti if he fancies that he has the confidence of the country. If appealed to the electors throughout the colony, will, we feel assured, pronounce a sentence of political deposition against him. His age, his past services, his well known but mistaken philanthropy, and the high offices ho formerly filled, would dispose most men to forbear to assail with acrimony his recent career as Premier. It is, however, necessary for the good of the colony that he should cease to be the first minister of the Crown, but while insisting on this condition being fulfilled, it will not he also incuipbent to let him down other than gently, A silent vote of want of confidence early in the coming session would be more in harmony with the wishes of settlers than a long and bitter debate. As things are now action rather than argument will promote the interests of the colony. Men's minds all over the colony are made up as to the undesirability of retaining in office the Grey Ministry, nor will the stern logic of facts be contra-verted by even the subtle tongue of the great pro-consul himself. There is no question before the county of great liberal principles or of a great liberal party. By his own autocratic conduct, Sir George has done more to bring down ridicule on the principles ho has advocated than the most bigoted conservative in the country. The voice has been the voice of Jacob, but the har/ls have been those of a very despotic Ea-sau. Liberty, fraternity, and equality have been ever on his lips when he has vaunted himself in the eyes of the multitude, but through the whole length and breadth of the colony it would be difficult to find a man more proud and contemptuous in his treatment of either his colleagues or his superiors. His great and admitted talents are so distempered by his intense vanity and craving for popular applause, that instead of being a statesman, he has degenerated into a stage actor. As an independent member of the Assembly, the present Premier was useful to the colony, prior to his acceptance of office, and in the same capacity he may again serve his country with advantage, but as a Minister "Othello's occupation's gone!" We have not the slightest wish to discuss the great liberal measures which the Grey Ministry is said to be bringing forward, We are thoroughly convinced that even if they were wise and beneficiont to the last degree, they would, if the colony be asked to swallow Sir George with them, simply act as an emetic. We want to put our house in order and meet the enemies at our gate as. a first thing. The settlement of great liberal principles should, by common consent, be adjourned to a more convenient season.