The Evening Star SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1876.

Evening Star, Issue 4152, 17 June 1876, Page 2

The Evening Star SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1876.

Public attention -will be divided between the Governor's Speech and the action taken by the Opposition under the leadership of Sir George Grey. The Speech scarcely contains a cue to the course intended to be followed by the Government in relation to the future of our institutions. A large portion of it refers to the social state of the North Island, and details the changes taking place in the habits and ideas of the Maori population. As the chief hindrance to tho prosperity of New Zealand in times past was internal war, the establishment of permanent peace and the creation of mutual goodwill between the Native and Colonial population must be regarded as the most important result of the Ministerial policy of the past seven years. Gradually the change has been working and converting bitter enemies into cordial neighbors. Formerly, the Natives opposed the con* Struction of toads, bridges, and telegraphs. They regarded them as devices of the Pakehas to gain access to, and possession of, their lands. But peace has changed the savage into a reasoning man, and opened his eyes to man's higher nature. While at war he was the equal of his more instructed white opponent' in courage and soldierly qualities; but peace has convinced him of the difference. The superiority of soldier over soldier is commonly that of armß and discipline; but the superiority of civilised over savage mta is that of jaiad, morals, and knowledge.

The Maoris have felt this fttid are conquered. This important change of feeling ib clearly set forth in the following passage of the Speech:— . _ The Wndly reeling which I found existing between these tribes and the European Bttlersinthis district, together with the increasing desire on the port of the Natives to adopt the practices of civl i«jd countries, a< evinced by the requests made Specially bytheNga Puttitu tribe for the construction of roads and telegraphs and the establishment of courts of justice and schools, affords the most promising gtmrantee for the future peace and prosperity of the Colony.

Perhaps the extreme Provincialists will not even yot be convinced that the purpose of the Ministry is to "give to the country districts and towns a larger share of self-government than they have hitherto enjoyed/' although this is one of the intimations of the Speech. We. doubt if even the Bill itself will convince them, should the Government be permitted to propose a poliey. Of this there seems some doubt, as they were very nearly defeated by one of the most extraordinary proceedings on record. The Opposition suceeeded in carrying a motion that seemed very likely to have the effect of causing & Ministerial change before the usual courtesies of the session have been observed. We do not think there can be found a precedent for a member taking such an extraordinary step as to move for the suspension of the Standing Orders to enable him to introduce a resolution implying a censure upon a Ministry by a newly-eleotedHo; B e, including in the number present a large proportion of raw, inexperienced ignorant of parliamentary usages, and while the matter in question is being made the subject of judicial arbitra- • ° D \m T a at ho ,houl( * have found a seconder in Mr STOVT is no matter for surprise, although the latter's friends must regret it. As a test of the relative strength of patties, the motion was inopportune. The object could have been equally well accomplished in the debate on the address or on a special motion on the subject of the ! Piako Swamp itself. The ignorance of Parliamentary usage of many of the new, members was shown in the reasons given for voting as they did-they "wanted information on the subject, and thought the Government should have given it. It did not seem to strike them that no opportunity had yet occurred for explanation. The Ministry were saved from defeat by the casting vote of the Speaker. Had they been outvoted it would have become a question whether or not they would have done their duty in resigning. It could scarcely be considered a matter of policy on either side. There was no question before the House excepting one of administration, and that had already been reported upon by a Committee of the last Parliament. There was really, therefore, nothing before the country to justify a resignation, excepting a party move, by which, according to their own confession, many inexperienced members were dragged into opposition against their own convictions. Whatever the strength of parties may prove to be, it is very plain that if the country is to place faith in a Ministry chosen from the ranks of the Opposition it is their duty to declare their policy as soon as possible. It is not merely a question of pulling down an Executive: that is comparatively easy. The most important question is, Who are we to have in their place 1 The first party fight has been in favor of the Opposition, but we do not think they are in a position to follow it up. They are not sufficiently united to form an efficient Ministry,