The Daily Telegraph FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1881.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3047, 1 April 1881, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1881.

The political atmosphere remains calm, and as yet unclouded. The recent addresses to their respective constituents of the Colonial Treasurer, of Mr Bryce, and Mr Hutchison, have failed to arouee more than the most languid interest in politics. The Government have no shown their hand, nor have the Opposition disclosed the course they will take during the forthcoming session. But though the silence of parties may be indicative of one of two things—either cautious preparation for a coming struggle, or inactivity induced by an intention to let events take their coursethere are not absolutely wanting signs that the coming session of Parliament will be productive of political excitement. The Liberal party —or rather, we should say, the party known by that name— though broken and without a leader, is not dispersed. Large sections in every electorate of the colony believe themselves to be Liberals, and though their faith in Sir George Grey may be shaken, the elements of strength remain for anyone who is clever enough to cement them together to form a strong and compact power to be used effectively at the next elections. It may be that Sir George

Grey is played out; that he has been tried in the furnace and found wanting ; but the country has experienced the force of his eloquence, nor can it forget that when he moved he passed over the land as a mighty blast. That which he has done before he may be able to perform again; and, what is more, should he enter upon another political campaign he will have the assistance of universal suffrage. Sir George Grey's party in the House no longer exists, but his former following is there, having no leader, it is true, but seeking for one. Unable to submit to their old cbief, these representatives of the Liberal party are thoroughly dissatisfied with the Government, and on the first favorable opportunity would unite to turn it out of office. Nor is it at all unlikely but what there are many within the Ministerial ranks who, should occasion offer itself, would join the malcontents. If the defeat of the Government cannot at this time be confidently predicted, it is at all events a contingency that is extremely probable will arise. The Ministry are not safe on their fiscal policy; they are absolutely weak on the question of education ; they have raised up a host of enemies by the way in which civil service retrenchment has been carried out; and Mr Bryce's resignation has not increased confidence in their administration of native affairs. Upon any one of these questions the Government may be defeated, or find themselves in a minority any day of the session, Should such an event occur an appeal to the country would be the most likely course for the Ministry to pursue, but this would not be done until a Representation Act was passed to redistribute the seats on a basis of population. Under any circustances, however, we cannot be far from a general election, as with the termination of the forthcoming session the present Parliament under the triennial system will expire. When that time arrives, be it this year or next, Napier borough will be severed from its country connection, and return its own representative, and with this alteration, we are inclined to think, there will come a change in the personnel of the Hawke's Bay members. In view of such change being possible, what steps are being taken here by the party hitherto regarding itself as possessing the preemptive right to return members to Parliament? Unfortunately for the stability of that party's reign, Mr Sutton and Captain Russell are un?ble to point to or identify themselves with any parliamentary act by which this constituency has been specially benefited. Still more unfor tunate is it for that party that its chief representatives showed themselves hostile to the only request which Napier town has ever asked at their hands. "We allude to the Meanee reserve. It was a small thing to ask for ; it may be a paltry thing for the electors to turn their backs upon their old members for declining to move in such a matter. But paltry or not, we warned them at the time that, on that account, if on no other, the next election at Napier would hinge. Not much time remains on hand to repair the effects of the blunder.