THE FUTURE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 695, 28 June 1869, Page 4

THE FUTURE.

(From tlio Wellington Independent, 22nd June.) The position of political parties in the House of Representatives is singular, and can be satisfactory to no one section, but most unsatisfactory to the country. The common report is that Mr Rolleston declared that he had aban-

jdoned the intention, of moving an amendment, it became certain the Government must sustain a defeat. An amendment moved by any other section than that which Mr Rolleston recommends might possibly shake a vote or two from one side to the other, but not enough to turn a majority which the Opposition calculate at from eight to twelve. The country thus has probably to change its managers in the midst of a heavy straggle with a savage enemy, which, if our latest information proves to be the shadow of a coming event, may spread to include Waikato settlements and the King party. This, an evil in itself, is trilling compared with the danger which reveals itself upon an analysis of the votes, especially of those which place Mr Fox for the hour at the head of affafrs. It would be a rash speculation to enter into details either of names or jiu tubers, but it is safe to affirm thar nearly half the Opposition will, on any money question, give a pure South Island vote, and if supported by the bulk of the Ministerial side, would carry their view and cut down supplies to a very insufficient amount, for carrying on operations such as are, or at all events, may be shortly forced on the country. Mr Fox's statements have been studiously vague, but the leaning of his mind is to rely on help from Britain ; and some of his most active supporters make no secret that this is their proposition. Upon this Mr Fox miglit obtain a little more support from his own side, as' the the operation of begging of other people is on the whole, cheaper than putting one's hand into one's own pockets. On the other hand, the men who follow Mr Rollestou's lead on this question are doggedly staunch, and a large portion of the Ministerialists will never consent to raise futile hopes by assisting in a renewal of applications already so often rebuifed. Mr Fox cannot accept of small provision for defence in the hope of obtaining Imperial assistance, because a large majority of the House will absolutely refuse to apply again for troops; and withuut the distinct approval of the Legislature, the most touching appeal from the whole female population of New Zealand, headed by Mr Fox himself, will fail even of that extremely small chance of success which, under the most favorable circumstances, would attend it. There is but one plan by means of which a working balance may be obtained from the conflicting elements in the House, so that the session may not pass by and leave the poor country prostrate. We assume that the envy characteristic of a democracy, the vanity of Mr Fox, the pride of Mr M'Lean, the vindictiyeness of the ultra-Provincialists, and the purity of our Angelo, Mr Rolleston, can only be appeased by an immediate sacrifice of the Ministry. In that case, if Mr Fox, having obtained command of the position, should show the courage of Sir Robert Peel in parallel circumstances ; should boldly throw overboard his ultra-Southern supporters and the rump of the Philo-Maori party, and should resolve to adopt his opponents' measures —their loan, their campaigns, and their lesolve to avail themselves of the first opportunity of peaceful overtures which signal success may afford; and if conjointly with this courageous defection from followers and previous hints of policy on Mr Fox's part, the present followers of Mr Staiford should show a passion for the commonwealth,.and for their principles, and a forgetfulness of self not very common among mankind, then, indeed may the country rejoice, and the poor frogs of outsettlers who watch in terror the issue of this combat of political bulls, may lift up their heads and croak their thanks to Jupiter, who turns the imaginations of men and bulls to his better will. But we regard such a vision with little hope of seeing it fulfilled. Mr Fox is not a Peel. He is more plastic to personal influence, less capable of perceiving the march of ideas around him; and moreover, the difficulty of tergiversation in his case is greater. Sir E. Peel was a man living in the twilight of two great parties; —-a step to one side or the other was needed. Mr Fox has been the hottest of partisans, and it would be a bitter draught to him to swallow the plans of his opponents in the face of the remonstrances of those with whom he has so long worked in hearty sympathy.

We do not hope, then, for so easy a solution of the difficulty, and wait with anxiety the events of the next ten days —so momentous for the future of this island and of the colony. The waters of peace seem to swell up to our very feet, but like Tantalus in l the fable, when we stoop to taste, they fly away from our lips.