DEFEAT OF THE STAFFORD MINISTRY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 8, Issue 404, 20 August 1866, Page 3

DEFEAT OF THE STAFFORD MINISTRY.

(From the Wellington Independent, 16th August.) The Stafford Ministry was defeated last night on Mr Moorhouse’s amendment of want of confidence. The amendment ran thus:— That the Ministry, as at present constituted, does not possess the confidence of this House. The ayes were 47, against 14 noos. A defeat had been anticipated for the Government on Mr Fitzgerald’s resolutions, which were adverse to its Financial and Defence Policy, but Mr Moorhouse’s amendment expressed tersely what was lha general feeling, and consequently it was carried by a largo majority. The colony has cause to rejoice at this division, which is the first step towards getting rid of tlie most weak, incompetent, and dishonest Ministry that ever held the reins of power in New Zealand. Mr Stafford was the only man of ability that held a portfolio in it, and he could not be trusted. His colleagues were only superior olreks in the several departments which he assigned to their charge, and the whole Government of the colony was thus left in the hands of a politician more distinguished (or finesse than honesty. That such a stare of affairs should be brought to au end is, therefore, a source of unmised satisfaction to those who are believers in Constitutional Government. From first to last the Stafford Ministry has been a sham, It had no real policy j its finance was a blundering imposture, aud its savings a myth. We are not, therefore, surprised that it should receive a peremptory order to vacate the position it had

usurped in favor of other and better men. After last night’s vote, the resignation of the Ministry is inevitable, end it is certain the new Cabinet will at least be a Government in reality, and not a Tadpole Ministry with an ugly head aud no tail to speak of, like that of which we are now fortunately to be rid.