THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1184, 15 May 1872, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1872.

The Opposition to the Ministry during the last session of the Assembly could be scarcely worthy of the name. At the first caucus held, if we remember rightly, there were some fifteen members present, and on the first virtual vote of want of confidence that number of members voted in a very distinguished minority. Up to the present time the disruption is as complete as ever, but, as we very recently indicated, there is grave reason to fear that both incongurous and discordant elements are likely to coalesce in order to achieve one object in common, viz., the destruction, politically of course, of the Fox and Yogel administration. There are a large number of disturbing elements in the composition of the present Assembly, whether in the Upper or Lower House, and there are unfortunately a large number of subjects for them to take hold of. Though it is scarcely likely to be made a Ministerial question, there can be no doubt that the failure of the San Francisco service will be one of the charges preferred, and that the Colonial Treasurer will need all his ability to meet it. On this point, those who wish Ministers well can scarcely help uniting, for the manner in which the service has of late been conducted is simply disgraceful. At the same time, the fault is owing entirely to placing too great trust in American contractors, and not to error of judgment in the selection of a short route or an available service, and the PostmasterGeneral, well-abused man though he be, is in no respect liable for the miscarriages that have taken place. Strong opposition will also be offered by several religious sects, the Episcopalian and Roman Catholic more especially, to the proposed Education Bill, and though it is not presumedly a Government measure, without question, ill-feeling and quasiopposition will grow out of the dissensions that must inevitably arise. Granted that the bill be introduced as the offspring of the Hon. Mr Fox only, still, the sectarian spirit that animated the House of Representatives during the last Parliament and ended in the bill's withdrawal, will blaze up afresh, and probably with greater vigor than ever, when the crisis of its adoption or rejection comes. The promoters of the bill then so far yielded to the pressure brought to bear on them last session as to introduce "aided clauses," which, virtually, would upset its national character entirely, and make it a denominational measure in fact. Whether the national education party will suffer defeat or otherwise on this subject remains to be seen ; but be it which way it may, it is certain that feelings of hostility will be engendered towards the Ministers on account of the part that they will be compelled to play. Votes are likely to be as precious as they were three years ago, and education will at least influence their bestowal. Those are two of the dangers that threaten, and are not of a necessarily fatal political nature, but there is another recently cropping up and gaining strength ; we refer to the Provincial question. The pressing process to which the present Ministry are subjecting the provinces appears to be distasteful in several quarters, and a resolute attempt at rebellion on this head will probably be made. Singularly enough, pretty well all the Superintendents of provinces hold seats in the House of Representatives, or have been called to the Legislative Council, in addition to which, many others intimately associated with provincial institutions and having a direct interest in their maintenance are similarly situated. We do not of course for a moment mean to impute that their votes on the provincial questions likely to arise could be in the smallest degree influenced by personal considerations, still human nature is human nature all the world over, and New Zealand very probably contains no special exception to the general rule. The present Ministry, though not declaredly, are virtually, opponents to Provincialism, and though rather late in the day its disciples have at last taken the alarm. At a recent meeting in Canterbury, at the opening of the Otago Provincial Council, in the Superintendent of Nelson's late address, and generally throughout the Colony, the Provincial alarm has been sounded, and that there will be a Btrong combination in its favor

from the singularly interwoven interests of those who will have to legislate on it there cannot be a question. All on the Coast we think, without exception, fervently hope that the Provincial system may be as speedily as possible extiuguisHed, and if it was possible to take a plebiscite of the whole population of the Colony on the subject, we are perfectly confident that its abolition would be voted by an overpowering majority. In gradually extinguishing a form of local Government that has served its turn, and now is as antiquated and likely to be soon as obsolete as it chief supporters, the Ministry fulfil the wishes of the people, and if representatives really represent the desire of their constituents, as a whole, they will support such a policy. But in addition to the perils already referred to, there is another and serious one to be encountered. At the beginning of last session the Wellington Provincial Government were in dreadful financial straits. Their officers were in arrears, their debts were heavy and their income was light, and they had to appeal to the General Government, or rather to the Assembly, and beg the interest of the Ministry to gain some assistance in passing certain measures, were calculated to relieve their pecuniary perplexities. Whether in return for this service, or why we cannot tell, but the whole of the Wellington members voted as one man with the Government during the session, Mr Fitzherbert, now a decore, the Superintendent of the Province, leading his lambs, and Mr Bunny, Provincial Secretary, whipping up the stragglers. So all were happy, and everything bore the cov.le.nr de rose, but in an unfortunate moment the Ministry has trodden on the sensitive toes of the Wellington local Government, and the Wellington tail threatens to turn and take itself over to the other side. Should it do so, it will prove a serious defection to the Fox administration, and will strengthen very materially the ranks of its opponents. There is no accounting for Provincial tactics or Provincial people. Like the sheep that a large portion of them represent, they are subject to sudden panics, and rush headlong one after the other in whatever direction their leader heads. It must be clear that from all these sources of danger the Ministry's tenure of office is by no means assured, but for the interests of the Coast it is to be hoped that they will successfully weather the storms that see iii to threaten their political existence. If they succeed in doing so, and we think that the good sense of a majority will prevent their ejection, the Coast has everything to hope for, and a vast improvement in administration to look forward to. Since they have taken the construction of main roads into their keeping,substantial and immediate benefit has resulted, and should the authorities now in existence, in the shape of County or Provincial Councils be swept away, their influence for good would be felt in even an increased degree. If the Coast members regard the best interests of their constituents, they will support a Government that has so unmistakeably shown itself prompt and vigorous, alive to the interests and the wants of the community, and free from the blof s that have that too often disfigured Provincial and County administration. On a variety of grounds, it is to be hoped for the sake of the Coast that no Ministerial changes will occur, but, as we have already indicated, there is at least danger ahead.