Cromwell Argus AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1872.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 149, 17 September 1872, Page 4

Cromwell Argus AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1872.

Whatever comparison may be drawn between the new Colonial Executive formed under the leadership of Air Stafford, and the Cabinet which last week yielded up the reins in obedience to an adverse vote of the House asserting the latter’s unsatisfacj tory management of the policy which they I themselves inaugurated, certain it is that i the change of Ministers must prove for the 1 better. The new Ministry know perfectly ! well that their every action will be watched ‘ and scrutinised by lynx-eyed supporters of ; the late Fox Government, with strong ‘jealousy and a desire to discover points I wherein blame may be attached; and, knowing this, the people of the Colony I have a certain security that the utmost i that can be done for their interests in the i management ot the extensive public works now in progress, will be done—that eco- | no my ot administration, unremitting atteni tion to the duties of their respective offices, ■ and a desire to deal justly and fairly by all parts ot tiie Colony, will be the programme ; ot Mr .Stafford and those who are assoelated with him. Provided that the new Cabinet prove themselves competent to grapple with the extensive works to which we are now committed, no Opposition composed of disappointed place-hunters and | chargrilled Fox-Ministerialists will attain to sufficient power in the House to cause | them much uneasiness, for the conscientious members who supported the late Government while in office, will also, wo have no doubt, do their best to expedite and assist in the economical administration of the public business of the Colony, and for judicious support and encouragement tothe men who have come forward to stem the tide ot reckless expenditure on which we were j to all appearance being borne along at an ! unpleasantly swift speed. By the people iof this Province the change of Ministry | should he looked upon with peculiar favour, for with the advent of Air Reid as Minister 1 of Public Works, it is not unreasonable to hope that we shall now receive a little 1 more attention at the hands of the Govcrnj merit than has hitherto been the case. I Hitherto we have been unrepresented in the Cabinet, and it is a well-known fact that we have suffered in consequence. Leaving alone the Provincial view of the question, however, we think the Colonv has every reason to be satisfied with the appointment of Air Reid, and also of the other members whom Air Stafford has j chosen as his colleagues in office. With i regard to the exaggerated fears expressed I by some of the members of the House and which were echoed and enlarged upon by journals blindly devoted to theinterests of the late Government—as to the probability of complications again rising in connection with Native affairs if Air AP Lean | were thrust from power, we hold them to I be entirely groundless, and confidently look forward to Air Stafford’s management of of native matters demonstrating that this exaltation of Mr APLean into tin- high i position of being the only man in the Cojlony able to hold the position of Minister I of Native Affairs, has been totally uncalled for. We do not wish to derogate in the j slightest degree from the credit due to Alr | APLeax, notwithstanding that the opinions I expressed by W I Par at a, —one of the most sensible and enlightened of the Maori i members, when speaking during the noconfidence debate, and who may be supposed to be a fair representative of the ! -Maori mind upon the subject. would per-

haps warrant us in doing so. Wi ParL voting against the Government was J that he did not consider Mr M'LLeanC, senco in any Ministry as an absolute , cessity if amicable relations were to tinue between the two races. No dm, fhu :n , win cuouunoer oniw tion, no matter how judiciously or ho successfully they carry on the adminish tion of the affairs of the Colony. \ have, however, every confidence that the will command sufficient support to enabl them to cheek undue and unwarranted ei penditure in the future, and we trust thi our hopes of their future career provh a long-aud satisfactory one may be provided that the estimate we have form; of their administrative capabilities pr 0V | a correct one, and of this, judging from tl past career of several of the prominei members of the Cabinet, we do not thin there is much ground for doubt.