The Evening Star SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1872.

Evening Star, Issue 2987, 14 September 1872, Page 2

The Evening Star SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1872.

The dissatisfied with the Fox Ministry must feel somewhat ashamed when they read the meagre programme of their chosen leader. It is in many points merely a re-echo of Mr Vogel’s financial statement, and an acceptance of his financial plans. There is no exposure of maladministration by the late Government, no new plan devised, no saving promised, no alteration of measures. Mr Stafford considers Immigration necessary to the success of the Public Works scheme; Mr Vogel built it upon that foundation. Mr Stafford feels bound to fulfil existing contracts, and afterwards to throw lines of railway open to tenders : Mr Vogel said the same before him ; Mr Stafford does not propose to proceed with any other linos than those in progress until they are completed : Mr Vogel did not make so rash and hid wise a promise; but lie did intimate that at present no new contracts would be entered into. Finally, Mr Vogel proposed certain financial arrangements for the coming year, which, after nearly a month’s opportunity for picking holes in them, are found so good as to be adopted by Mr Stafford, We do not suppose that those who have been so industriously working to unseat the late Ministry, will feel it any part of their duty to ask what lias been gained by all the “bubble, bubble, toil, and trouble,” of the “ no-confidence ” debate. Never was a weaker case made out against

a Ministry never was a weak case more weakly supported—never was a successful Ministry more recklessly unseated by a motley majority. So diverse have been the motives that have actuated the majority against the Fox Ministry, that it cannot be dignified with the name of a faction. But while no change is to be made in public works and financial arrangements, there are postponements of measures that will disappoint many large classes of persons. The Goldmining Bill is to bo postponed until next session, the Native Question is to be meddled with, and a patchwork Education Bill introduced next session. We see nothing about Water Supply to the Goldfields, although we do see something about a sop to the North Island members in the construction of works north of Auckland. We suppose this is in grateful remembrance of the valuable support given by the Auckland members on the late division, whereby the defeat of Mr Fox’s Ministry was secured. On the very same ground Otago has a very fair claim to consideration, but we opine that debt is supposed to bo cancelled by the appointment of Mr Reid to the Public Works Department. As Mr Stafford accepts the measures of his predecessors, those who are conscientiously opposed to the Fox Ministry, to bo consistent, should now oppose him. We, of course, have nothing to say against them. But it cannot be denied that in thus adopting these measures, he pronounces the most emphatic condemnation upon the conduct of himself and party. All the violence and venom that have been displayed are now proved to have been mere sham. The dissatisfaction of which he speaks has proved to be utterly unfounded. The interruption caused to public business, and the uncertainty and unsettling of men’s minds, which partially interrupted trade, have turned out to be altogether unwarranted. The farce is played out, and unless we are much deceived, a reaction must follow. Otago never yet has realised its true interests in the politics of New Zealand. When Mr Stafford was in power some years ago the members of this Province allowed themselves to be cajoled by the Auckland merabei’s, just as they have lent themselves to their purposes on this occasion. There were mighty professions of unity of purpose, and the two batches fraternised for a while with the common purpose of securing Separation. But the Separation Otago wanted was not that which suited Auckland. AH the Northern members sought for was something for themselves. Mr Stafford gave it, and at once they became obedient to his beck and call. Never were Fedavees more completely devoted to the service of the Old Man of the Hills than were the Auckland vassals to the feudal lord that fed them. It is to be feared a similar system of Walpolism is in store for us. The people must not imagine that an opposition based upon such slender grounds as those which placed Mr Stafford in office could be really honest. There must be many office-seekers who will not be satisfied without substantial reward for their services. One effect, therefore, must he to let in a new set of cormorants eager for some sop to s istify their cravings. The bait may lure them to faithfulness for a while, but it will net do to dangle it too long, lest they weary. Although, therefore, it is proposed, as might have been expected, to rush through the Estimates as fast as possible, and to shirk everything marked “dangerous,” should the new Ministry prove a little shaky, on the principle that it is not wise to attempt to prop a falling house, there will be some who will forsake the party; and it is possible so weak a Ministry, with so weak a claim upon the support of the country, may not live the session through.