The Globe. TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1876.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 678, 22 August 1876, Page 2

The Globe. TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1876.

We are glad to see that the Assembly has at; last commenced the real work of the session by discussing the second reading of the Counties Bill. Many weary weeks of purposeless talk have been wasted, in consequence of the extraordinary conduct of some members of the Opposition. After days had been wasted in secret cabals, the policy of the Opposition was at last announced, and a poor affair it was when it reached the light of day —crude and undigested in the extreme. During the debate it became more and more evident that, under the leadership of Sir George Grey, united action on the part of the Opposition was impossible. Eecent events have shown how hollow was the compact existing between the different members, and according to the latest intelligence from Wellington the party has virtually broken up. Such a state of things is much to be regretted. When the present Parliament was elected, the formation of a strong and able Opposition was looked forward to with considerable satisfaction by a large body of electors. It was felt that the colony was approaching a critical period in her history, and that it required the united exertions of her best men to steer her safely through the difficulties ahead. But, unfortunately for the good of New Zealand, Sir George Grey and one or two others were elected, who immediately constituted themselves the leaders of the Opposition. Had they had the patriotism to submit to better men —men with some tact, as well as gentlemanly feeling—Ministers would have had less of their own way than they are likely to have now. Indeed scarcely a discussion has taken place which has lot been disgraced by gross personalities, but which till the other night hava passed unnoticed. We are not surprsed that Sir Julius Vogel at last lost his temper, and gave way to some hasty expressions. Some members of the Opposition, and Opposition press, seem to regard gross personal abuse as iheir peculiar property, but make loudprotestations when their honesty and honor are called into question, bme of the Wellington journals have ieen making some research into the )ast hietory of the colony, and publisiing for the information of the publio,.-er-tain documents connected therewith. Sir George Grey's speeches aboufehe rights of the people and the woriag man are in strange contrast to'iis

actions then. Even the most sincre worshippers of the ex-Governor hve at last discovered that Sir Georgq's an unsatisfactory leader, and the live moderate men have all along felt tit it would be highly dangerous to trit him in any way with the managemtt of public affairs in the colony. > Ids intemperate speech and impracti able temper, he has deprived tl Opposition of a splendid opportunil oi', if not ousting, at any rate strict, controlling, the Ministry. It is sai that had Sir George Grey not table his notice of motion about the Gout ties Bill, Government were prepare to make important modifications in tt direction demanded by those who ai in favor of abolition, but regard tl substitute as too complicated and e: pensive. We hope, however, tin members will show Sir George Gre that further persistence in his course < action is useless, and that his proposi to reject the Bill will receive but scui BUpport. Neither the House nor tl

colony will hare anything to say to the retention of provincialism or to separation; it is therefore the imperative duty of the Opposition to aid in making the local government measures of the Government as workable as possible. A continued persistence in opposition on vague grounds will soon become highly criminal, and must result in serious disaster to the colony.