The Daily Telegraph. FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 1884.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4035, 27 June 1884, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph. FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 1884.

An Auckland contemporary —the Free Lance—has been giving «, series of cleverly written articles on the " Coming Men " of the next session of Parliament, and in a recent number Mr Ormond is made the subject of a notice. After referring to the establishment of the Hawke's Bay province the writer in the Free Lance takes up Mr Ormond's public career from 1870 when Mr Vbgcl recognised his abilities, and had him appointed the first Minister of Public Works for the colony under Mr Fox. In this position he shewed an almost unlimited capacity for work, and did much to make the new policy popular in various parts of the colony. When Fox's Government, in 1872, gave place to the Cabinet of Mr Stafford, and was succeeded by the Watorhouso Government, Mr Onnond again received the portfolio of Public Works. He did not, however, retain it, but retired, making room for Mr Richardson, who continued to hold the office during the terms of office of four successive ministries down to 1876. In that year, on tho formation of the first Ministry of Major Atkinson, Mr Ormond again took office —this time as Secretary for Crown Lands—an office which he soon resigned in favour of Mr Donald Reid of Otago, who was induced to leave the ranks of the Opposition Provincial Party after the fate of the provinces appeared to be finally sealed. From that time Mr Ormond has taken no part in the Government. He remained a firm supporter of the Atkinson Cabinet till its overthrow by tho Middlo Party in 1877, and went into strong opposition to the Government formed that year by Sir George Grey. When the Hall Ministry was formed in 1879 it was generally supposed that he would have taken the portfolio of Public Works. The necessity for respecting Provincial feelings, however, prevailed against what would have been otherwise a wise policy, and Mr Oliver was appointed to represent Otago in the Cabinet. It is not certainly known whether Mr Ormond would have joined Mr Hall in 1879 had the portfolio been at his disposal, but it is certain that he very soon shewed signs of divergence in politics from his old friends. His action taken jn connection with Mr Wood of Auckland, very nearly overthrew in 1880 the Hall Cabinet, and was based upon views which may hereafter prove of great importance to the colony. At tho last general election Mr Ormond, like so many other leading politicians of the colony, lost his seat, boing supplanted by a wholly unknown man. Since then lie has retired from public life. It is very generally understood that it is only for the time. To judge by the Press of Hawke's Bay, no man in the district has more the confidence of the people as a whole, and none is more likely to obtain an easy victory at the next general election. Mr Ormond's return to the House will be an unquestionable acquisition to the ranks of its members. His long acquaintance with public affairs will be doubly valuable in a House which is but too likely to consist largely of tyros in politics. As a speaker ho is forcible and convincing, although by no means eloquent; and he will certainly take rank as one of the comparatively few, who aro sure to be listened to with respect and attention. His position is more difficult to define upon the present lines of party. The present Ministry, indeed, could not command any cordial support from him, as they have intensified the very c'ourso of policy which he so strongly denounced when Mr Hall was Premier. Mr Ormond's position, indeed, is a somewhat remarkable one. By virtue of his very connection with Provincial Governments, as Superintendent of one Of the new Provinces, lie was opposed to the old Provincialsystem. When the Provinces were destroyed he was one of the most ready of our politicians to see in a Central New Zealand Government an efficient substitute for them. The experience of but a few years showed him, hswever, that in some respects at least he had acted hastily. He could not find in tho County system any substitute for the old Provincial system, and he found, or believed he found, many evils flowing from tho Central administration of local affairs. His attack upon the Hall Government was founded upon these convictions. He did not indeed commit himself to any very definite policy on the matter, but generally he expressed something very like a recantation of his views on tho subject of the abolition of the Provinces. The course of public events.since his exclusion from Parliament is not likely to have greatly, if at all modified these views ; and should he now re-enter the House he will do so to find a large and strong party fully disposed to give effect to them. The Otago and part, at least, of the Canterbury members of next Parliament will be elected with a view to bringing about some return to a system of Local Government much more powerful than County Councils. How far Provincialism, with its Councils and Superintendents, will be put forward as the models of a new Constitution, docs not yet appear, neither has Mr Ormond committed himself to more than a general approval of a system which shall give local, governing bodies much greater powers and responsibility than the Councils Act contemplated. If it is true that Sir Julius Vogcl gives in his adhesion _to such a change as this, and associates himself with Messrs Macandrcw, Stout, and Montgomery to obtain it, he could scarcely fail to find in his old colleague, Mr Ormond, a valuable ally. If, on the other hand, Sir Julius has no intention of leading a party and forming a Government, Mr Ormond's alliance may become a necessity to the Provincial Party. Without some leading politician from this island in their ranks, any such party must prove a failure. No strong Government ever has, or over can exist all of whose leading men are drawn from one island only. In tho absence of Sir George Grey from such a party, it is difficult to see where another man, except Mr Ormond, is to be found, representing the North, of sufficient ability and reputation greatly to strengthen such a Government. In such a contingency Mr Ormond may not only form one of a new Government but may be the one to form it. His administrative talents are more than considerable, his power of speech is sufficient for the position, and as one who materially helped to overthrow a strong system of Local Government,, he would command considerable influence in his political repentance and promise of amendment.