“The Press” In 1866

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31109, 12 July 1966, Page 16

“The Press” In 1866

July 12 PARLIAMENTARY SESSION. The opening of the session just commenced might have been expected to be attended with some little excitement A newly-formed Ministry was in power, the head of which had taken' office just before the close of the previous session. The intentions of the new leader had been carefully concealed, or alluded to only in broken hints which left his meaning more obscure than before: and the House might naturally feel curious as the time approached for the declaration of the Minister’s policy, and an announcement of the brilliant schemes which his procreant brain had no doubt conceived and elaborated during the recess, to justify the confidence of the Assembly and the

preference it had given him over the gentlemen he displaced . . . The public, especially a colonial public, are accustomed to a change of Ministers, but such a change has always been understood to imply a change in the direction of affairs. It is something novel to find the new Ministry deliberately taking up and carrying on without amendment or addition the schemes devised by their predecessors; still more novel to find that Ministry headed by one who last session was foremost in opposing by speech and vote the very measures he is now foremost in recommending ... Mr Stafford has not taken office to carry out any policy or assert any great political principle. He loves place for itself alone. . . .