The New Zealand Tablet. Fiat Justitia. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1877. THE NEW MINISTRY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 233, 19 October 1877, Page 11

The New Zealand Tablet. Fiat Justitia. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1877. THE NEW MINISTRY.

tHERE are several points of view under which Sir Ueoroe Grey's Ministry may be regarded— educational, financial, administrative, economic &c, &c. The first — the educational — is the one that most concerns us; in the others, though we are interested regarding them, our interest is not intense. It concerns the country very deeply and ***• therefore, us, that the Government should be 'wise' economical, and just in administration ; and that the measures recommended to them by Parliament should bo well considered and calculated to promote the public good. But we are more interested about the educational question than any other

because it affects not only things of a temporal order, but also of an order lmineasureably higher and vastly more important. In the wisdom, political sagacity, and just disposition of bir (jkorge Grey we have the utmost confidence. He is an old acquaintance. We have seen him tried for years in most difficult circumstances, and have never found him wanting. Had he not to consult others, and to accept compromises for the sake of united cabinet action, we entertain not the slightest doubt that his Government would do justice to Catholics in the matter of schools. But, on this subject, we are sorry to say, we have not much confidence in his colleagues. However as we are disposed to give the new Ministry what it is entitled to, —a fair trial, we shall say no more at present on this subject, but wait to see the result. On every other subject, it is our opinion that Sir George Grey 8 Government may be regarded as sound, and as likely, it allowed sufficient time to develop their measure, to win the approbation and confidence of the country. This Government has amongst its members some of great political experience, who for many years have been tried and have proved themselves wise and able administrators. The country would do well to give them a fair trial in their new capacity. The people of New Zealand know the political principles of those gentlemen. These they have never concealed, and we think it will be admitted that these principles with the exception of that of Provincialism, which may be looked upon as settled for ever, have been generally approved. The Wellington correspondents of provincial newspapers' state that the lately ejected ministry, or their friends, intend to bring forward immediately a motion of want of confidence 111 Sir George Grey and his colleagues. It is to be hoped this is not true. The battle lias been fairly fought and decided and if an attempt be now made to oust the present Government it will be said, and not without justice, that it is not the public good that is sought, but the promotion of purely selfish and merely personal interests, to the great detriment of public business. Too much time has been wasted already, and the people are beginning to be wearied and disgusted at the wranglings and waste of time and money of Parliament. The people of New Zealand, be the opinion of certain members of Parliament what it may, are very well satisfied with the change, think this change has not been made a moment too soon, and are prepared to accord a reasonable support to Sir George Grey and his Government, and to give him a fair trial. No one will deny that the late Government, taken as the Government of the last eight years, has done good service to the country. It has had its merits, but latterly its demerits have been such as to render its relegation to the Opposition benches desirable and even necessary. Besides under a constitutional form of Government, it is not at all desirable that any one party should have too long a tenure of office, the State will be best served by according to all parties their due in the management of the affairs of the country. It is to be hoped, therefore, that these correspondents have been misinformed, and that no attempt, that is, no factious atteuijrt, to thwart Sir George Grey, and unnecessarily throw obstacles in the way of his Government will be made. His speech, announcing his policy, is very satisfactory, and if adhered to, as no doubt it will be, the country will have no cause to complain of his administration, and many reasons to bless it. What he proposes to do in tho way of retrenchment, for example, is necessary at present, and could hardly have been undertaken by his predecessors. And what is true on this point is true also in reference to others. The fact is, new brooms were wanted. The present opposition will do' well, therefore, to wait patiently, watch carefully, and bide its time. This, no doubt will come in a few years. No ministry caii expect to please the country for ever. No ministry can avoid all mistakes. Let there, then, be a fair fight, let all that is merely selfish and all that is factious be banished from the House of Representatives, and let the political contest be founded on reason, and political learning. Let it be manly and above-board. A political contest of this nature would secure the respect and confidence of the public for both parties, Government and Opposition, and each in its turn would, 'when the proper time came, secure for itself the support of the people.