AUCKLAND OPINION OF THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1780, 4 November 1879, Page 3

AUCKLAND OPINION OF THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

The “ Herald ” of Monday says:— “ The decided step taken by four of the Auckland members in seceding from the •Opposition has created surprise which has since given place to unseemly anger. This sort of thing, like curses, comes home to roost, iProbably those of the Opposition members who so profusely scatter their ugly epithets, ■ may not have the right over their own position. If treachery is to be talked about, what of those members who, pledged to Sir -Q-. Grey, consented to his being thrust aside when one word from them wculd have prevented it ? The transparent artifice of saying that the late Premier voluntarily retired -would not be worth a moment’s consideration, ■ since virtually it would be untrue. In effect, Sir George Grey was deposed, and the moment that was done the party was destroyed—destroyed beyond the possibility of recovery, and the foundation laid—nay, the necessity created —for the proceedings which have produced so much heat and brought down the expression of so much vehement indignation on the heads of the four members for Auckland, who with the leader of the party gone and the party obligations therefore gone, and the evasiveness of Macandrew always present, were free to act as they thought best. The Liberal policy and the Education Act having been rendered secure, they had, in fulfilment of their pledges, to obtain those guarantees of justice to the Auckland district which the leader of their own party would not give them. Traitors forsooth ! It is the Auckland members who remain with the Opposition who must be arraigned at the bar of public opinion. Honor forsooth ! How came they to assent to the deposition of the chief they were bound to support—to allow him to fall to selfish personal intrigue cloaked by the pretence of the necessities of the party ?”