THE ANTI-STAFFORD PARTY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 700, 15 July 1869, Page 2

THE ANTI-STAFFORD PARTY.

We to day give a few more extracts from other contemporary journals, j bearing on the composition of that party which, by temporary union,, succeeded in displacing the Stafford Ministry, and at the same time showing that Mr Fox represents one of its smallest sections. As a whole, the Colonial press is as loud in its condemnation of the new Ministry j as it was of the other, and it is a matter of doubt whether they will be ableto weatherthe session through It is now generally acknowledged that the wild scheme of applying for Imperial troops must be regarded as hopeless, even if it were advisable to do so, and nothing remains for Mr Fox but to carry on the war, though with less vigor and consequent success than Mr Stafford would have done.

Wanganoi Chronicle. It was a public duty, as we think, for the country to mark its sense of disapproval of the Stafford Ministry. That duty has been performed; a just and emphatic condemnation has been passed ; and by the accident of party Mr Fox becomes the head of a new Government. But what of it—its hopes and chances ?- On this point we are not disposed to speculate largely. Mr Fox does not enjoy the confidence of the country very widely; he may win it by his policy now. During the recent debate, Mr Stafford could only make a poor defence for himself; but he was able, on the "You're another" principle, to say very damaging things of his rival. He pointed out Mr Fox's failures in 1861 and 1863—the way in which the three million loan had been grossly misapplied—and how, in a time of trial and difficulty, the hon. gentleman had fled from the country. But the whirligig of time and politics has once more put Mr Fox at the head of affairs. The country is in a seriously embarrassed position, and he is entitled not only to a fair trial, but to generous consideration. Much will depend upon the men he associates with him; more upon the Native policy lie enunciates. If lie has any idea of again bringing forward his scheme of managing the war by Superintendents of Provinces, he will break down at once. The thing is a sheer absurdity. We shall, however, wait patiently, and hope for the best. Our own impression, however, is that the Fox Ministry will lack the elements of permanence —and that we shall have some longer time to wait and further changes to make b'efore the country gets a strong Government. Press, Canterbury.

They [the anti-Stafford party] comprise men of all opiuions; men who believe in self-reliance, men who ridicule it as an absurdity; men who deprecate farther borrowiutf, men who go in for another loan ; men who advocate continuing the war, men who hold that the war should be stopped as soon as possible. Some vote against Government on the ground of their general incapacity to deal with such a state of things as exists in the North, others because the interests of particular localities have been neglected; some because of their presumed hostility to the provinces, others because they will not frame a system of local government which shall supersede the provinces ; some because they have not applied to England for troops, to which others again are strongly opposed ; some because of their financial proposals, with which others in the main agree. Otago Daily Times. Nothing will be more unsatisfactory to the people of this Island than that the Ministry*should be ousted merely upon a vote of confidence in their administration. A dissolution would probably ensue, and instead of a large question of policy being put to the country, the settlers of the Middle Island would be called upon simply to decide whether Mr Fox or Mr Stafford should be entrusted with the conduct of a war which, if continued, must add considerably to the already heavy burden of taxation under which they live. Should it be deemed advisable that the occupants of the Ministerial benches be changed, let the House rather be asked to decide whether the war should be continued or not at the expense of the whole colony. We are convinced that so long as money is forthcoming to maintain a military force in the North to cope with the native rebels, so long will disturbances continue. Withdraw Middle Island assistance for that purpose and the war will soon come to an end. Waikouaiti Herald, Otago.

The Govci anient has set its mind on borrowing another million and a half to prosecute the war. The Opposition contains in its ranks many men who will stoutly refuse to consent to the Middle Island being burthened with a shaae of this new liability. But—let our readers mark our words—the Opposition, as a body, is of the same mind as the Government, except upon the single question, Who is to have the spending of the money, aud management of the war ? The leading journal of the Opposition in Wellington is of this mind— Mr Fox has the same opinion. A majority of our easy-going representatives will see no help for it. We shall have to pay. Loud voices ought to be promptly raised from every corner of the country against this monstrous injustice. Fortunately, there never was a time when there was more unanimity of feeling amongst the people of i

[this Islaud than at present, whatever may be «, 'case with their representatives. The m eil i Canterbury will no longer be found casting damper on the cause of Separation, or some oth arrangement to free this Island from further «>. contributions,, as. they have unfortunately so o j, done when the cry has bean raised in this P t(l vince. Bruce Standard, Otago.

Well, the Assembly has met, the difficulty jw be encountered; and we doubt if the Eoxite partwill be half so eager for office as they were W session. Taxation is always unpopular, and tU recollection of Mr Fox's administration of the Three Million Loan is sufficient to make our members cautious in placing one in power who previously showed such utter incompetency. % hope, even if a loan be required, Mr Staiford will retain office, perhaps with other members of so imperious a temper as he possesses, so that economy may be unflinchingly exercised. Tff|, a t ever may be the demerits of Mr St ifford, that U economises the revenue must be granted, and as the. putting down of the Native war will tax his best energies, we do not imagiue that he will at. tempt too many improvements in the present Coj, stitution. The country desires the Native rebel lion to. be put an end to, and when that is accou, plished, will be better able to. discuss Mr Stafford's schemes for the outlying districts. In Mr Joj as the administrator of a new loan, we have not the slightest confidence, and it will be a sad day for New Zealand if he has ever again the duty of administering ever so small a loan-. And as it not likely the Provinces will yield up any portion of their Customs Revenue, whatever Ministry obtains power must borrow—we hope, as small a sum as possible ; an.l therefore,, we say, much as we disagree with Mr ShJford, his economic abilities are proverbial, and it is better»far to have him as the administrator of a new loan than Mr IV;, We hope, therefore, even, those opposed to Mr Stafford' in political views, will support him rather than allow mismanagement and wasteful expend ture.