The Waikato Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1872.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 62, 21 September 1872, Page 2

The Waikato Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1872.

We learn by private telegram from Wellington that rumour is rife that the present Government will not succeed in retaining tlioir seats to the end of the session. It is only rumour, but coinciding as it docs with our own opinions and wishes we are inclined to believe it. Mr Waterhouse is spoken of as the coming man, we have previously expressed our opinion of this gent.' —to the effect that there is no man we would sooner welcome to the helm. With the assistance of Messrs. Vogel, McLean, and Hall, who are spoken of as likely to join him, a strong and able Ministry could be constituted. We by 110 means wish to see Mr Stafford shelved, but feel that his immediate followers are, neither as regards strength or ability, capable of conducting the affairs of the colony in a satisfactory manner. We feel keenly the immense loss of time and efficiency in the conduct of public affairs which result from frequent changes of Ministry, but consider even that preferable to the session terminating and an incompetent Ministry being left in otlice during a long recess. There is-the fear that members will study their own convenience rather than the interests of the colony and regardlesss of their opinions or those ot their constituents, hesitate to prolong the session by passiug an adverse vote on a Ministry thai they so shortly before put in office- We, however, feel confident that there are few in the House who do iiul regret the retirement from power and refusal to re-assume it by more than one of the members oi the late ministry. ?fo doubt, when the vote of want of confidence was recorded, it was pretty generally believed that such would not be the case-. Could the objections of those members have- been overcome, Mr. Stafford would have had a strong and able ministry, as it is one or two of those who sit on the ministerial benches may be said to have scarcely a personal follower. The Ministry is Mr. Stafford, and Mr. Stafford is the Ministry—he is an able man; but the task of con-

ducting bis own departments and instructing bis colleagues in the conduct of theirs, is more than either,his mental ox render him capable. Much an we regret the fact, we are bound in the interests of the colony to impress upon the members of the House, that their duty is to turn from offiej*" at the earliest date a ministry to which neither tMcy nor. tho country can with confidence entrust our affairs. ' J .