The Globe. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1052, 10 November 1877, Page 2

The Globe. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1877.

Had anyone, at the beginning o£ the session, predicted that a Ministry composed of Sir G. Grey, Messrs Macandrew, Fisher, and Sheehan, would be able to hold office for several weeks, he would have been regarded as a blind partisan, whose enthusiasm was getting the better of his judgment. Major Atkinson’s bitterest opponents, with a few exceptions, looked upon Sir G. Grey as most unfit to hold the responsible position of Premier. His “ political unreliability ” is so notorious that even such a violent partisan as the Lyttelton Times expressed very little confidence in him. The great Middle Party looked upon the Greyites as convenient tools by which to oust Major Atkinson’s party, and climb into power themselves. But, like all moderate men, when the time for action came they found that halfhearted counsels were of little avail. They were nomatchfor SirG. Grey and his small but determined body of followers. They were as eager for power as the Greyites were, but there was a nervous anxiety displayed to he regarded as the disinterested saviours of their country, which paralysed action. But although Sir George Grey and his party have displayed a “ preeminent aptitude for tactics, and a superior skill in party warfare,” we d( not for that reason regard them at worthy of the confidence of the country AVhat we wish to direct attention to :s the fact that, in consequence of the half-hearted conduct of the Middh party, Sir G. Grey And a small

minority of the House have succeeded in holding office for a month, although they really cannot claim to represent the opinions of the majority. It must be very humiliating to the hon. member for Akaroa, for example, to find himself occupying the position he now does. Instead of being placed at the head of a great and patriotic party, which was to redeem New' Zealand from financial and political disaster, he has been compelled to sink into the position of the humble follower of a gentleman whose “ political unreliability ” is acknowledged even by the Lyttelton Times, and who was returned to the House as a pledged supporter of the disunion of the colony and the general appropriation of the land fund. It is true that since Sir Q-. Grey has taken office his tone with reference to these questions has materially altered. But we must not forget that the great organ of the Middle party has acknowledged his “ political unreliability.” The would-be leader of that party must find himself placed in a very peculiar position. We can well believe that he and his friends would not feel any great regret should circumstances require the Knight of Kawau to retire to his island home. In the meantime Mr Montgomery is helping to maintain in office a Government the members of which he charged last year with endeavoring to give Auckland the domination over the North Island, and Otago over the Middle. The conduct of Sir G. Grey in connection with the privilege question is sufficient to show that he is capable of resorting to any measure, however discreditable, to gain his purpose. Do those members from Canterbury, who are supporting the Government, believe that our interests will be fully considered as against those of Auckland and Otago ? We have Mr. Fisher pitted against Sir G. Grey, Mr. Sheehan, and Mr. Macandrew! The mere placing of the names together is enough. After giving the former gentleman credit for the possession of far more brains than he has ever yet given indication of having, we will not be disparaging him if we say that he will be utterly incapable even of undestanding the moves of those gentlemen, far less of counteracting them.