The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 1868.

Dunstan Times, Issue 319, 5 June 1868, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 1868.

Beneath the Rule of Men entirely jest the pen is mightier than the sword.

Mr. Vogel is again at the head of affairs in Otago, and the up-country districts, notwithstanding that gentleman's unfortunate predictions for the squatting interest, may congratulate themselves upon the overthrow of the Pv.eid ministry, and their escape from the dictum of the Taieri farmers, that precious hody posessed no capabilities whatever for governing a country ; their policy was unmistakably a retrograde movement. The proposed stoppage of Public works would have thrown the Province back for years, in fact, now that so many onticing inducements are held out for settlement in other lands, it is more than probable that a considerable number of persons would have left us. Otago posesses many natural advantages, which, if made available, would support a large and thriving population, but to accomplish this, an outlay in the shape of public works is indispensable ; roads and bridges must be made, so that the consumer may bo reached by the producer or vice versa. There are few- countries in the world, which contain within themselves such prolific elements of prosperity as a localised production and consumption, and with these unparallelled advantages, no enlightened Government would hesitate even to involve itself seriously to uti'ese them, a loan for public works should be vieved as a profitable investment, and not as a burthen, especially with the certainty that the advantages to be derived from such by the increase in the value of pro-

I pcrty and additional employment given to the people, would he amply sufiicient to extinguish the obligation. The Arcadian simplicity of the Beid Ministry was really amusing. Such a policy might have been acceptable were the entire Province comprised within the Sylvan Groves of the Taieri. but instead of so much rural bliss, we have Goldfields, and upon them residing, a thinking aiut progressive popu afion, ready to do battle with difficulties as they present themselves, and who never will submit to be ruled by a faction, little better than “ old women.” The doings in the Council most certainly present a melancholy picture. It is party arranged against party; office-seekers striving for place and emoluments, and the business of the country made quite a secondary consideration. We quite endorse Mr. Hmighton's opinion that there is a necessity for a dissolution ; but, at the same time, we cannot acquit that gentleman of blame in promoting much of the factious opposition which has so unnecessarily prolonged the Session, and brought provincial institutions into contempt. That the Council is composed of very inferior materials there can be 10 question, and, if we are to believe the Treasurer’s assertion that the members of the late Govern ment were mere puppets iuthehands of Mr. Ilaughton, it is high time they were all sent about their business, and that skilful operator provided with better material upon which to manipulate. Mr. Yogel’s abilities as a financier, together with his knowledge of the science of Government, doubtless fits him best for the post of Leader of j the Executive. Taking newspaper reports as a guide, there is not a j match for Mr. Vogel in the House, j unless it lie Mr. Ilaughton himself, i and as the latter gentleman’s penis- | tent opposition to Provincialism unfits I him to be a member of a Provincial | Government, our best course is to | bottle up our wrath until December j next, when probably an appeal will be 1 made to the country, and in the meanI time graciously accept things as I they are, it being evident,. from past | experience, that we may “go farther ai.d fare worse.”