The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1885. No Confidence Debate

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 9, 2 July 1885, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1885. No Confidence Debate

Ik his speech Sir G. Grey said he had consulted no members on the responsibility he had taken of moving a vote of want of confidence in the Government. The House would be led to infer from his speech that his motion was a happy thought which had flashed upon him to the effed that if the Stout- Yogel Ministry wore removed something or another might happen which might be of infinite good to a suffering people. He could not attack the Financial Statement, as to do so requires a knowledge of figures which he does not possess. He said " the figures in it amounted to nothing," a flippant way of dismissing the subject he was unable to argue on. The Bills brought down by the Government did not number among them one of a liberal nature, nor one worthy of a "reformer." He accused the Premier and Colonial Treasurer of have come to some compact, the terms of which would probably never be known, but it was apparent that they had arranged to become Premier and Colonial Treasurer. With his usual fatuity he said he regretted several of the Ministers were large shareholders and held important positions in agricultural companies, and the Government had been managed on the principles of a company. What Sir Geoboe Grey apparently looks on as a crime, we look on as a blessing, for if the business of the colony had been conducted on the lines of a joint stock company — especially when Sir George was in office — there would not now be the muddle he affirms there exists. He has a sly blow at Sir Julius Yogel when he says "he would like to the see gentlemen who occupied the Ministerial Benches — those who had been successful in life, and not any who had been connected with unsuccessful companies. He concluded by saying he would let a coalition be formed of those who wouU carry quickly well, measures beneficial to New Zealand. Just so, that is the very thing Parliament has wanted, and yet that is the very thing that Sir George Gtet has most successfully prevented ever since he was enticed from his quiet nook in the North, to take a share in the Councils of the county. The Premier in his reply was not up to his usual form probably because the occasion did not call for any unusual exertion. He defended the Customs tariff and Baid that he had made no increases without consulting those who were reputed authorities, and whose statements and opinions were reliable and trustworthy. He said he was not afraid that he would lose office, but still if a majority disapproved of the policy Bills of the Government he would resign if the House desired it. Our | readers may be assured that, however, unpopular some of the proposals of the present Ministry may be among many — nay, a majority — of the members of the House, yet the dread of a repetition of that chaos I which preceded the formation of the Stout-Vogbl coalition, will prevent the vote of want of confidence being carried. • - .-..■■- .