Cromwell Argus. AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell : Wednesday, May 20, 1875.

Cromwell Argus, Volume VI, Issue 289, 26 May 1875, Page 4

Cromwell Argus. AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell : Wednesday, May 20, 1875.

The present situation of Provincial politics is in certain respects one of the most peculiar which has yet, in our experience, been witnessed, and it presents some features which are calculated to excite considerable apprehension. We are of course alluding to the amazing circumstance of a powerful Executive being last week overthrown on the most trivial grounds that were ever brought against a Government, the policy of that Government being meanwhile, (even granting that some faults of administration might be found,) that which meets with the greatest acceptance at the hands of the people in ihe Province. We have carefully considered the articles of our Dnnedin contemporaries for some clue to guide us to the reasons for this astonishi ing state of things, but in them we can see nothing worthy of attention, unless indeed it be the significant fact that strong personal reasons dictate the peculiar current in which their political tendencies flow. One of our contemporaries' writings on political matters lately have been spiced with such personal allusions as to lead to the conclusion that personal spleen is a principal element in the writer's composition. Its theory, then, as to the causes of the present situation must be at once put aside, and we must try to form one for ourselves, based upon the debate which took place on the want-of-confidence motion. On a careful study of the division list, it will be at once admitted, we suppose, that there is a party in the Council which makes it its whole aim and study to put and keep such a Government in power as will be favorable, or as favorable as possible, to the pastoral interest. And everyone knows that this party is led and managed by perhaps the most astute though most silent member of the House.

All the pastoral members do not follow this individual's leading, we rejoice to say, but still it is sufficiently effective to take advantage of any element of discord which may arise or exist. That sufficient ele* ments of that sort did exist is evident, when we reflect that an intense BastingsTurnbull feeling still rankled in the breasts of many members of the Council; that certain Goldfields members (only the half, we notice by the list,) were prepared to vote against the Government under any circumstances; and that there existed a discontented body of southern members goaded on to do something desperate against any Government which would not concede all demands of a railway and immigration committee which at present reigns triumphant in Southland. That these elements of confusion did exist ia beyond a question : that they were taken full advantage of is also beyond a doubt, and we fear it is only too true that they were shamefully handled by the party to whom we have already alluded. For what do we find upon examination of the various speeches made by the Opposition? Nothing but the vaguest and most trifling charges of maladministration of the Works Department,—charges which were not, if they could be, substantiated; and the most trifling and contemptible personal reflections upon the occupants of the Government benches. We find charges, nos one of which is proved, put forward in the most lame and impotent manner, and no attempt at attack made upon the policy of the Government, —except, indeed, to a very small degree by one member, Mr Fish. What can this mean, except that the outs waited to get in, and that personal feelings were prominently put forward to justify, if possible, such a votel Tf we look to the Goldfields Department, we find on the Estimates of the Reid Government'a very fair provision for our wants in the way of roads and works. We notice an indication that other works calculated to promote the progress of the Goldfields were receiving attention, and we find also that really nothing has been advanced against the late conduct of that Department except that the head of it conducted the business for the greater part of. the year in the largest and most important purely Goldfields town, and nob in Ounedin. This is the case as regards the Goldfields, stripped of all unnecessary verbiage and personal reflections. Let us turn now to the Treasury Department, and what do we find? That the balance'sheet and Financial Statement were made, and ■ the Estimates laid on the table, in a snorter time than ever before in the history of the Provincial Council. Nothing was said against the Treasury, although we know the underlying Bastings v. Turnbull feeling must have played a prominent part. Nothing was said against the Provincial Secretary—indeed, he was praised to the Utmost in many things, but it was asserted he had too much work to do, and conse--quently he had failed to do many things he ought to have done. Many assertions were made, but assertions don't go for proof with us misguided up-country people so much as apparently they do with some of our Dunedin contemporaries. What | then was the real moving power which consolidated the incongruous elements of which the Opposition was composed—the disaffected Southland members, in feat and trembling of their terrible Committee; the jealous and envious Goldfields members; and tl\e faithful followers who wei'e blindly led by Bastings in his last year's episode with Turnbull 1 ? What induced them to go against a Government whose land policy was a liberal one ; whose • Estimates were so carefully and timeously prepared that we are quite certain they will not be improved upon; who had given evidence that they were prepared to reduce or wholly abolish the obnoxious gold duty ; and whose every measure, up to the want of confidence motion, was almost unanimously carried ? The Southland grievance was not a sufficient reason in itself, for it could not be remedied without hurt to other districts ; nor was it the discontent of certain Goldfields members, for all their causes of discontent had been or were being removed, and surely the revengeful feeling on the part of Mr Bastings could not of itself have been sufficient. Ts it possible that the astute party of which we have already spoken brought the Cave of Adullamites together and made them a compact body 1 If this is possible—and it appears to us the only theory upon which to account for the lato division what was the motive which induced them to move 1 We believe it itf not far to seek. We find Mr PtEID, in a recent debate, referring to the intended policy of his Government with regard to i the pastoral leases which will next year and in successive years expire by effluxio*

of time. He distinctly stated that ma policy would be to cut up those leases into much smaller areas, to give men of small capital a chance of settling. To all those of our readers who have given any attention to this subject of pastoral leases, is it necessary to say that this was sufficient to determine the direction which one •mall but influential party should take with regard to the late Government 1 We do not mean to insinuate that Mr Bastings has made a compact with the party already referred to; but we do mean most distinctly to assert that there is room for great suspicion, either that he has done so, or that that party has everyreason to believe that Bastings and his Executive will be found more pliable gentlemen in the matter of renewing the pastoral leases than the members of the late Government would have been. We shall bs glad to find that we are mistaken in our opinion. We shall also look forward with considerable curiosity to the new Estimates, to %ee how the exorbitant demands of Southland can be acceded to without sacrificing the other important and equally deserving demands of the Province.