THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 1871.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 811, 3 March 1871, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 1871.

Mr Stafford's speech to his constitnents at Tiinaiu ou Wednesday, a condensed report of which was published by us yesterday, may not appear at first sight to. contain much importance. Coining from any less prominent politician, it would hardly be considered worth more than a passing notice, but Mr Stafford's position invests everything he says with a greater importance than that which may oe conveyed in the mere language. It is well .understood that the Opposition which last session became disintegrated, and ceased to have any combined action, will be thoroughly re-organised under its old leader when Parliament opens, and will enter upon the campaign in renewed strength and vitality. Mr Stafford is the only possible leader of those opposed to the present Ministry, as he is by far the most able and experienced amongst them. His extensive experience of the affairs of the Colony, his thorough knowledge of every public question, his power in debate, and his excellent tact and discretion eminently qualify him as apolitical leader, and in the event of a change of Ministry he is the only man in the House that could construct a firm Administration. , .In the coming session he will find himself allied with- all the more prudent and thoughtful members, and the recent general election had added to their number. He is the acknowledged champion of local self - government as opposed to Provincialism, is a free-

trader and a staunch economiser in administration. Occupying such a position, therefore, his opinions must be regarded more; in the light of a programme of actiohthan asimple utterance of individual belief. Mr Stafford's opinion of the great financial immigration scheme of the present Ministry is outspoken—he considers it "a wild and reckless gambling one." He considers the proposals of the Government with regard to their proposed railways as absurd, and their immigration scheme still worse. He points out the absurdity of adding to the already unsettled population of the Colony, and says that the only immigration that can benefit the country is immigration of persons who can at once be settled on the land. But as he saya— Where is the land to come from 1 seeing that nearly all the available agricultural land has been alienated from the Crown, and is held in enormous tracts by monopolists and absentees; He desires to see a healthy flow of immigration, aud, if necessary, would compel the large landowners who occupy the land unprofitably to give up some of their spoils. Railways, he considers, should first be made to connect the interior with the ports, and not as at present proposed, between one port and another. He evidently considers the present Treasurer incompetent and extravagant. He accuses Mr Yogel of fearful miscalculations to the extent of £290,000 in the' revenue and of reckless expenditure. "Some Government will have to economise" is an ominous note for Mr Yogel, and clearly points to an attempt to turn him and his colleagues out of 'office. He distrusted the Native policy of the Ministry, considers the alleged peace as deceptive, and forebodes danger from the Friendly Natives, who have been so numerously employed by Mr M'Lean, and -into whose hands supplies of arms have been placed. He disapproves of the course pursued by New Zealand respecting the San Francisco Service in affronting Victoria, as it had done in that matter, and he hopes Mr Yogel will not extend his official journey as far as London, as, if he does, he will do harm instead of good, the Colonial Treasurer not being, in Mr Stafford's opinion, a person likely to make a favorable impression in influential circles in England. To our minds, all this clearly points out the course that the Opposition will take. Mr Stafford will rigorously exact a thorough exposition of the finances of the Colony, and interpose a check upon the reckless expenditure now going on. It is more than probable that upon the Financial Statement there will be a no-conß-dence motion, and that the Ministry will be defeated. If vsuch should happen, or a change of Government be effected at any other occasion, the result will be that the Colony will again be restored to Mr Stafford's guidance. In that case, his policy is shadowed forth by his speech at Timaru. It means retrenchment ; the construction of only well-considered and profitable railways from the interior to the ports ; judicious immigration, and liberal land laws ; a general system of Education throughout the Colony ; and an extension of the advantages of local self-government. Such a policy would find a response throughout the Colony.