MINISTERIAL CRISIS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 355, 19 September 1868, Page 7

MINISTERIAL CRISIS.

The struggle that is at present going on, if it has not already been decided in theLegislative Assembly, is without doubt one of the mosc exciting and important that New Zealand has ever known, and the influence that the result will have on the future of this colony, can scarcely be over-estsmated. The two parties after playing some time have fairly grappled, as to whether Provincialism as it at present exists, shall be maintained, or swept away. The Ministry at the outset of the session, had a majority, but through circumstances of one kind and another their supporters have fallen away, and it is by no means impossible that they may suffer a defeat, or that at least the majority will be so small, as to be tantamount to it, and not sufficient to justify them in proceeding with their declared policy before appealing to the country. The points at issue are briefly these. The Stafford administration, propose to consolidate one powerful General G-overnment and Legislature, instead of distributing! power amongst a dozen principal parodies of the same ; whilst at the same time they offer to grant large local powers of self government, in the shape of road-boards &c, and would leave all the local public works in local hands. The formation of counties would be encouraged, and in point of fact, self governing powers would be granted infinetily greater than the provinces now possess ; though the Provincial Councils Provincial Executives, and all their following would be abolished. On every ground, in our opinion, such a change would be most beneficial. No power that the public care to exercise would be abrogated by the proposed alterations, whilst a vast amount of direct authority over local affairs that at present has to be derived from Superintendents and their Executives would be lodged in the hands of the people themselves. The cost of G-overnment generally would be largely diminished, and the absurdity of two concurrent Governments in every province would be at once put an end to. The details of the Government proposal cannot of course be known, till a bill to carry out their intentions has been introduced, but their general statement of policy is sufficient to show that the outlying districts especially, would be greatly advantaged by its being carried into effect. At the same time Mr. Stafford holds the re'ns of power by no means securely, and much of his most recent career, is by no means so unexceptionable as to have bound his supporters more strongly in his cause. The blundering indifference exhibited in reference to native affairs, has, as we learn already alienated two of his party Messrs. M'Lean and Ormond, of Hawke's Bay, and the former as Superintendent of that district is said to have considerable influence that can be turned very seriously to Mr. Staffords injury. As the other side will no donbt trim their sails to the utmost to catch all waverers, and even many who are in favour of a centralisation policy, the result is at least doubtful. On this the ministry have taken their stand, and as Mr. Stafford has already declared, that if defeated he will procure a dissolution a general election is by no means improbable. As far as this goes, we by no means think this would be a misfortune. The Provincialists, at present declare that in such a case, they would secure an overwhelming majority in favour of things being retainedas they are ; whilst on the other hand, the opposite side are equally confident of the result being in their favour. The election would, at any rate settle the question decisively on one side or other, and if

the abolition of provincialism was endorsed by a majority its interested friends would have nothing to do but accept theverdict. Apropes6fageneral election, should such take place it might be well to inquire how it would a'ffect Westland North. On the last 'occasion when Mr. Gallagher was elected by Addison's flat holders, of business iicenses and miners rights of over six months standing voted, but since then an electoral roll has been compiled and published, and we may fairly assume the probability of only those on the roll being in future qualified as voters Notice was given long enough, and all that any one had to do, was to get a form from the Resident Magistrate's office, fill it up and give it in. Surely this was little trouble enough, but throughout the whole district, including Addison's, Caledonian, Charleston, and Brighton, only eighty six registered. If it proves that no others are entitled to the franchise the candidates need not greatly trouble themselves to hold public meetings for the purpose of expressing their views, as they can canvass each individual elector and give him an hour's private conversation in a few days. Should then the bulk of the population be debarred from taking part in the election, the fault lies with themselves, and with no one else, but the district will be virtnally dis- \ franchised. The pending victory or defeat of members will however, soon be arrived at ; should the latter eventuate we shall have far more to say on this portion of the subject.