The Evening Star SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1872.

Evening Star, Issue 2981, 7 September 1872, Page 2

The Evening Star SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1872.

No one was surprised yesterday when it was announced by telegraph that the Ministry were defeated by a small majority. For many days such a result was looked upon as probable, although few thinking men held it to be desirable. On an examination of the division list it will be seen that Auckland and Otago have had the very questionable honor of unseating a Ministry that has done more, at least for Otago, than for all the other Provinces put together. This is the more surprising as the motion was proposed by a man who has ever shown himself opposed to the advancement of Otago, and who, on one occasion drove it to the very verge of insurrection. It cannot be said that in the debate that has occupied so much time anything has been brought home to the Government to justify the decision which has been arrived at. Admittedly there have been mistakes, but being merely of an administrative character they were not irremediable. We are inclined to think that they were attributable in great part to inexperience in the beat way of carrying out the important measures that have been initiated. Ministers are not engineers, and, on subjects involving questions of professional engineering, they are necessarily dependent on the opinions of professional men. If they are misled by them, as it is quite likely they have been, it is difficult to blame them for not fulfilling duties for which by occupation and education they are unprepared, and which, in spite of their express desire to the contrary, were thrust upon them by the House of Representatives, But then comes the

question which should really be well considered, Are those who have condemned them better able to conduct the affairs of the country than the men who have retired? Looking at the list of members who supported the late Ministry, we do not see many names of established administrative ability. There are the names of some of the least able members from Otago and Southland, and the names of men who are known to have opposed the Fox Ministry from personal antipathies only. There are the names of wellknown expectants of office, and of some who may possibly after some experience prove themselves to be able ; there are names identified with traditions of the past, and who share the doubts and apprehensions of the antiprogressive men in all countries. It is fortunate for the country that so much has been done by the retiring Government before they left office, otherwise we fear, through sheer necessity for the appearance of consistency, a sudden check would have been given to Colonial development, and all the ground that has been gained with so much toil would have been abandoned. As the drudgery has been got through, the worst part of the work is done, and a new administration will take office on very advantageous terras for themselves. A system lias been initiated by the Fox Ministry, and all that remains to be done to secure its efficiency is to see to it that the agents are of the right sort. As the late Treasurer truly said, there is no great necessity for bringing forward great measures for some years to come. The country is committed to a specific course, and chief attention is now required to perfecting its details. It would be very unfair, in the telegraphic summary of a speech to condemn Mr Stafford’s faint marking out of his Native and Railway policy; but we confess we look forward with some degree of apprehension as to the effects of his mistimed utterances on Native affairs. Talk of a Sugar and Blanket policy! it fades into insignificance compared with the probable consequences of giving back portions of confiscated land. The very mention of such a plan is an invitation to a renewal of Native agitation, and forms a marked contrast to the firm and temperate but conciliatory policy of the late administration. Then his notion of founding towns along lines of railway points to his essentially unpractical acquaintance with the usual course of industrial development. To say that towns are needed at various points on a line of railway is only a truism. For a Government to say that a town shall be here or a town there, is very like saying there shall be rain on such or such a day. The selection might be the very best possible ; but if it happened to be the worst, social and industrial laws step in, and in spite of legislation assert their power. It may be that Mr Stafford thought it necessary to give some indi cation of what he was prepared to do should he succeed in forming a Ministry. But if he did say what he is reported to have said, we think it was premature and imprudent. It is just possible that after full opportunity has been afforded him, he will not be able to form such a Cabinet as will secure the confidence of a working majority. Should this be the case he will hardly try to carry on the business of the country, and some attempt at amalgamation of parties will probably be made. If this cannot be effected, as the late Ministry could not work with a majority against them, the only alternative would be an appeal to the country : a course which his Excellency will not resort to excepting in case of absolute necessity, as no political question is involved.