THE Evening Star. FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1869.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1915, 25 June 1869, Page 2

THE Evening Star. FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1869.

The long debate lias been brought to a close, and by a large majority the fate of the Stafford Ministry has been decided. The vote has gone against them : the House of .Representatives has condemned their policy by a majority of eleven ; and bad Mr Howorth been in time to have bad his name placed on the division list, another would have been added to the number of their opponents. Contrary to what might have been supposed, Mr Stafford’s policy has been the most generally condemned in the North Island, and has met with the greatest amount of support in the Middle Island, It will be seen by examination of the division list how this is to be accounted for. Mr Stafford himself represents

a Middle Island constituency : then there are three representatives of che County of Westland, Messrs W. H. Harrison, Barff, and Gallagher, who, through motives which are sufficiently apparent, have always supported Mr Stafford ; and, lastly, there are Messrs Haughton, Bradshaw, and Mervyn in Otago,—the two former of whom have had substantial reasons foi their votes. Deducting those seven votes, six of which can be accounted for on interested grounds, and assuming that the remainder are purely conscientious votes, the Government would only have had fourteen supporters in the Middle Island. It must be great satisfaction to the people of Otago to find that, notwithstanding the votes of Messrs Haughton and Bradshaw, the Province is at last in a position to make its influence felt in the Assembly. Had the representation remained as it was last in all probability the ministerial minority would have nearly, if not altogether, disappeared. But the substitution of Messrs Birch, Driver, Graham, Rich, and Howorth, for Messrs Paterson, Hepburn, Campbell, Mitchell, and Reid, has turned the scale ; and though not completely as one in its representation, Otago has virtually achieved the victory. But the work is not done. It is scarcely likely indeed, that with so decided an expression of the House against him, Mr Stafford will venture on a dissolution. It is, no doubt, just possible he may decide upon that course. Assuming, however, that the Ministry adopt the only apparently constitutional course of tendering their resignations, the work of reconstruction 0 and the policy of their successors will require attentive watching. It is impossible, at a moment’s notice, for the most skilful administrator to unravel all the difficulties in which his predecessor has involved himself. The principles on which he may conduct the business of the country may differ essentially, but the engagements entered into must of necessity be fulfilled, unless the prosecution of them would prove positively pernicious. Thus the Native war may be reduced to purely defensive operations, instead of being made a war of aggression, and the expense of it may be localised instead of being made a general colonial charge. On this Otago must continue to insist : there must be no compromise. It must be made a condition of support to any Ministry, that the South shall be relieved from payment of the war expenses of the North. Unless this is clearly and distinctly laid down as a principle, the inhabitants of Otago must demand of their representatives that, no matter who forms a Ministry, he shall not : have the sanction of their votes. There is much to be done in other directions > that may be fairly left open to the judgment of the members. On this ■ one point the constituencies must how- • ever insist, and we believe that all the Otago members who voted against the : Government, are of one opinion upon it. Further speculation would be idle and premature. All that can be done for the present is to wait the turn of i events.