THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 195, 7 October 1864, Page 3

THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS.

[From the Daily Southern Cross , October 3.] The resignation of Ministers was not accepted definitely by his Excellency up to last evening, but from the nature of his communication with the members of the late Executive there is reason to believe that their resignation will be accepted if he can see his way to do without them. A request for financial information by the Governor was supplied—and we hope he found it sat’sfactory. One thing we may say, however, that the statement put forward in his Excellency’s paper to the effect that there is a financial crisis impending, owing to the mismanagement of the Government is untrue. The truth is that the Ministry are in a position to carry on the business of the country, and the plan of settlement specified by the Assembly, if his Excellency keeps faith with the colony, even in the restricted sense of Mr. Cardwell’s despatches. But this the Governor declines to do, and by his own act —by his own shameless breach of faith—he is endeavoring to bring about a financial crisis, for the purpose of coercing the colony into complicitv with his treasonable practices. Let that be fairly and fully understood. There is no likelihood of a financial crisis occurring if the Governor gives effect to the policy which he initiated, and which has been approved of by the Duke of Newcastle and Mr. Cardwell. If he does not do so, as a matter of course, the colony cannot go on finding money for carrying out a policy which must entail ruin and a war of races on the colony, and benefit no one but Sir George Grey, who will retire with the reputation of having made peace and saved the Imperial Exchequer. When the colony ceases paying for these purposes there will be “ a financial crisis”—that is, the Imperial Government, and not the colony, must bo the paymaster. But we deny the truth of the allegations that have been made on this subject. The Colonial Government have hitherto found the means of carrying on the war, and they are in a position to do so until a lasting peace has been established, altogether apart from the three-million loan, provided only the Governor gives effect to the law,_and confiscates the rebels’ lands in acccordance with Mr. Cardwell’s instructions.

We cannot say what course tbe Governor? will adopt ; but we almost imagine that he will b e compelled to give effect to the confiscation policy in the end. Ho may produce a great depression, and inflict immense loss upon tho European population, but he dare not do otherwise than defray the cost of the war from the confiscated lands of the rebels. Whatever Ministry he may form must make this the basis of their’policy of the Europeans is to wait: to permit his Excellency to do as he pleases, but to keep their hands clear of anything he may resolve upon, knowing that his aim is to make a reputation for himself at their expense. The settlers, thanks to the Maori rebellion, are in a position to look after their own interests, andjif it comes to a push to enforce the fulfilment of engagements. Knowing our strength, wo can wait and watch, and see what is Excellency the Governor, in the exercise of his unconstitutional powers, may choose to adopt.