The Daily Telegraph TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1881.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3038, 22 March 1881, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1881.

It is reported tbe rumour is revived at Wellington that Mr Ormond is to lead tbe Opposition during the next session. Without consulting that gentleman upon the subject we feel ourselves justified in giving an emphatic denial to the report. We think we know Mr Ormond well enough to state that, however dissatisfied he may be with the measures undertaken by the Ministry to place the financial affairs of the colony on a sound footing, be would be tbe laet roao to rouble tbe

ox that is treading 011 the corn. Politician enough to thoroughly appreciate the difficulties surroi,ucHng a Ministry that took office after a. reign of misrule, Mr Orraond is not ikv'y to insrease those difficulties by asvuaang the lead of an organised Opposition. Nor would such a position, did he fed inclined to accept it, assist in placiug public affairs on a surer basis. The elements of strength are essential to a party that would successfully oppose a Ministry which at present commands a good majority. The defection of Mr Orraond would not materially weaken tho ranks of the Government, for the reason that auy party he might be elected to lead would scarcely draw towards it the scattered remnants of Sir George Grey's following. Without this were compassed tbe Opposition would Kill present the appearance of a house divided against itself. As long as Sir Goor/je remains in Parliament it Ls almost impossible for any Opposition that may be formed to have for its motf» '•' unity is streßgth." Sir George Grey and Mr Ormond a~re as oi! is to water ; there can be no amalgamation, no ,'r-;.ry of purpose, no harmony of fcoucg. The role Mr Ormond is more lively to fill is that of adviser and critk-, pud in. that character he is a pov.cr In i urliament, and of immense use to ibr country. The time has tiaroiy arrived j «■■**. though it may be rapidly appro?.-:uii>-j, when the view 3 enunciated by l/n- Ormond in the House last session will {\td sufficient favor to enable him to force their adoption on the Ministry of the day, or to give effect to them as the leader of a strong and united party. In the meantime the colony is indebted to h'.D f>r the measures ot economical that have been carried out, for without his denunciatory speech financial affairs would have continued to drift. The tinkering with the tariff, the imposition of the property tax, and the shuffling of public accounts, would have been about all the measures of reform that the Hall Ministry would have effected had it not been for Mr Ormonde celebrated speech on the condition of affairs, and the proper remedies to be applied in the face of a crisis, His words fell like bomb shells in the camp of the Ministerialists, the members of which had begun to think that their advent to power was alone sufficient to secure public confidence, and to avert the bankruptcy of the colony. Mr Omoud dispelled all such notions. In plain and incisive words he showed that reputation for honesty was of no avail without works, and be pointed out in what direction those works should be undertaken. In effect, Mr Ormond's advice was to*make the colony support itself without extraneous aid ; to keep taxation down to the lowest limits, so as to attract capital and independent immigration ; to develop the resources of the country, and encourage the investment of money in Crown lands that labor might be employed. In truth the colony has come to the length of its tether, and unless this advice be followed national disgrace must ensue. To the credit of the Ministry be it said they have endeavored, without the adoption of revolutionary measures, to carry out that which Mr Ormond sUted it was his opinion the condition of the country demanded. After a wild and extravagant career of nine years it Is impossible to pull up suddenly, but the drag that has been 'put on ia an earnest of that which is to follow, and if good intentions are honestly being given effeo" .0 Mr Ormond is not likely to paralyse efforts that were commenced at bis own suggestion.