THE LATE MINISTRY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 329, 4 December 1865, Page 2

THE LATE MINISTRY.

The following letter appears in a recent number of the New Zealand Advertiser, addressed to the editor of that journal;— Srxt, —The circumstance of the only newspapers published in Wellington being on one side, may, perhaps, point out to you the propriety, if not the necessity, of opening your columns for the expression of the views of those who may differ ■ from you in opinion, in order that the minority may bo represented, and the establishment of another journal avoided. That a very large minority of the people of this Province do not coincides with the views put forward in the Wellington newspapers, with regard to the policy of the lata. Ministry, is shown by the recent meetings which have been held in the Wairarapa, and would, I doubt not, be also shown at other meetings if held in the other out-lying districts of the Pro--vince. As both sides formerly had an opportunity of being heard through the columns of the Wellington presss, I do not see how you can reasonably object to allow them again this privilege, and for this reason I ask you to give insertion to the present communication, however”much the views expressed in it may differ from your own. Political gratitude not being a very commfn characteristic of the public, I will not attempt to deny that the thanks of Wellington are due to the Weld Ministry for having secured for it the Seat of Government and the port of call j though the one was obtained on the recommendation of the Australian Commissioners, against the expressed opinions of Mr Weld, and the other by Mr Crosbie Ward, against the expressed views of more than one influential member of the late Government ; but what I do intend to deny is that the circumstance of a Minister who has the confidence of the North, South, and Centre—of Auckland, Otago, and Nelson—not being able to find a journal in Wellington to support him, speaks favorably of that place as a Seat for the Colonial Government, and what I do intend at the same time to assert is that a Minister who is able to conciliate Auckland and Otago is best able to steer, at this trying hour, the vessel from that “ dangerous rock ahead” which would, if dashed against it, split it in two, and by rendering two separate Governments for New Zealand necessarily prevent Wellington from continuing the capital of even the North Island. Without reference, however, to ,the views and policy of the present confessedly provisional Ministry, I do not think the late Government should be again supported, for the following reasons, which I give in the order in which they present themselves to my mind, and not in that of their importance considered from a colonial or even metropolitan standing point:— 1. Because it appointed a polling place at Wellington for the electoral district of the Wairarapa in order to swamp the votes of the resident elec > tors of that district, to give undue weight to the property qualification, and to render nugatory that political equality conferred upon the people by the Constitution Act 5 and because it refused to rescind the proclamation, though requested to to do so by the neople of the Wairarapa, and the majority of the members of the Wellington Provincial Council.

2. Because it introduced a Bill with the object of fettering the press, and preventing full and free discussion on public men and measures, through public journals. 3. Because it proposed to impose a postage tax on newspapers, and thus prevent their circulation in the sparsely populated districts of the Colony. 4. Because it pardoned the murderers of Lieut. Tragett and Dr.-Hope, gave a free pardon to the Maori murderers found guilty by an Auckland jury, and otherwise unwarrantably interfered with the proper administration of justice. 5. Because it subverted and denounced the policy of 1863, which had received the sanction of the House, and the approval of the public, without first having appealed to the country. 6. Because it insulted his Excellency, and ignored the opinions of its supporters and the public, by appointing Mr Fitz Gerald Native Minister.

7. Because it attempted to increase the salaries of numerous officers at a time like the present, and on personal rather than on public grounds. 8. Because it opposed the Disqualification Bill, which would have reduced the influence of placemen in parliament. 9. Because it supported the Masters and Servants Bill, and otherwise showed a disregard for the political and social rights and true interests of the working classes.

10. Because it attempted to impose additional taxation on the people, without attempting to reduce expenditure, or to revise the present monstrous tariff. 11. Because it aimed a fatal blow at the North Island* through Auckland, by giving an undue political preponderance to the floating population and the squatting interest of the Middle Island. 12. Because it pretended to advocate a policy of self-reliance, when it merely wished to substitute monetary for military assistance, and when it knew that his Excellency would not sanction the withdrawal of the troops. 13. Because in addition to the costly policy of the Defence Office, it increased, instead of diminishing the cost of the Native Department; imposing the cost of a war and of a peace policy at one aud the same time, on a Colony which was not justly liable to either. 14. Because it fostered the separation movement, by a culpable neglect of the interests of Auckland and Otago. 15. Because it throw down the reitis of Government at the very time the safety of the state vehicle required that they should be held by a firm hand ; thus proving themselves disqualified to administer the affairs of the Colony at a juncture like the present. You may thnk it strange that I should adduce the last reason, after bringing forward the preceding ones, against the late Government; but I consider that their conduct on this point was wholly indefensible under the circumstances, and well ■calculated to turn Parliamentary Government into a mockery aud a snare. 1 am, sir, Your obedient servant, ft. Wakelut. Moron, Wairarapa, Nov. 18,1865.