THE Grey River Argus. THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1866.

Grey River Argus, Issue 60, 31 May 1866, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1866.

It is pretty well understood in wellinformpd quarters that the new Parliament will meet for the despatch of business some time in Jxtuc. As usual the approaching meeting of the Legis lature affords food for much speculation and discussion as to the condition of political parties, the probable policy of the Ministry, and the nature of the various measures which may be anticipated. Judging from the tone of the, press and public speakers throughout the Colony, there is no reason to fear that Mr. Stafford will meet much pppo. sition ; on the contrary, there in every probability that he will receive a large amount of support, and that his Ministry will be firmly seated in office. By a happy blending of his own peculiar views with such of those of Mr. Weld as admitted of the combination, Mr. Stafford has managed to smooth down the asperities which existed when he first took office, and contrived to strengthen Ins position by obtaining the adhesion of some of the most dan. gerous because most ableimen of the Weld party. With Mr. Feathcrstone, Mr. Fitzherbert, Mr. Jolliejand other adherents of the late Ministry, Mr. Stafford may regard RU<£ /< tftoiien^^^^ta Fitzgerald with comjjflgpl^^^^^^^^fc „ , , , and reu.^^B undisturbed ium^>,, . ' , all that he can may^BP^^^ IJyjP^ittempt to do. There does appear at present to be much sibility of another change of Mir^^H during the session^and it is much desired that the Stafford Ministrß^^B be an exception to many of »^^^^| decessors. The- new House C '^^^H| many fresh members, some of ,^^^H however, bear the reputation of Most of the best members of Assembly have been again ro^^^H and although the absence of 1* Sewell will be felt, still the new may fairly claim to rank with its predecessors. As to the po^^^H the Ministry it has to a great F^^H been forshadowed by the extra-} mentary utterances of those i n^^H secret. Mr. Stafford will ste.^^H pursue the policy of " self-relianct^^H much talked of by the admirers of Weld, but at the same time he will fco^ permit the Colony to be plunged auto further ruinous expenditure for war purposes. He will interfere with the strong arm where necessary, but his native policy may be summed up as "you let me alone, and I'll let you alone." It is understood that Mr. Stafford will carry out his promised plan of retrenchment; but fresh taxa. tion is spoken of — a Stamp Duty and Income Tax. Both these financial schemes were brought forward last session, but withdrawn, owing to the opposition with which they were met, and it is not probable they will be any more favorably received ting; session. A remodeling of the tariff is a promised measure that is urgently required, and it is understood that the classification of taxable articles will be- arranged according to the suggestions recently made by the Chambers of Commerce. The financial relations of. the various Provinces will undoubtedly be the great question of the session, because out of it will arise the question of Separation of the two islands — at least financially. It is difficult to predict what the result of the battle of this question will be. It is true that Auckland and Otago, and a small, certain section of the Canterbury party, will, to a certain extent, pull together] but it is unquestionable that popular feeling on the subject of Separation has much subsided. We question, if eVen the next session will see the accomplishment of the plans of the Separation ists.. We trust also, that a measure will- be introduced for altering -the boundary of the Nelson and Canterbury Proviuces. And it will depend much on' the mQ ■-. — on the auspiceajKncler whicli \ur it recetaM

attention pf the House or be quietly ; snubbed. We are certain that under favoi'able qpnditioiis the measure could be carriedj.aTid the Canterbury line removed down to the Teremakau. With a little management, the support of tl>e Otago and Auckland members .might be obtained, and the Nelson members ! w.ould ,of (joiu^e do all they could to assist- But as we have often-before said success depends .on the energetic action of the people concerned. No hikewarm attempt can prove successful. Of other measures it is probable aj Bill will be introduced to amend the ; of the Westland Gold^ Fields, and also thaj the Assembly may be a*iked to legalise some form of lpcal «' administration in Wfest Canterbury.