WELLINGTON.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 707, 9 August 1869, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

["FROM OITB OWN COEKE&PONDENT.] August 5, 1869 It is difficult to say how the division 0 n Mr M'Lean’s resolutions may terminal ludependently of party considerations, the amendment moved by Mr Stafford wonj| commend itself to a very large majority 0 { the House. But there never has befor 9 been seen in this Colony a Government in such critical times attempting to rule bv such means as Mr Fox uses, and S q bare a majority. Mr Fox has exhausted parliamentary tactics and finesse since he came into power in order to avoid a trial of strength. He has not scrupled to use very doubtful expedients as in Major Brown’s case, to coerce nienj! bers, and has stooped to very unworthy ones, as in that of Mr Cracrol't Wilson. Every question on which debate could arise has been removed from the order paper and postponed, or else modified to suit votes, At length, however, this F a . bian strategy reached its limit, and Hr M‘Lean s resolutions could neither be eva. dcd nor delayed. Probably, Mr Stafford might have permitted them to be passed without hoisting his colors had the Minis, try taken manful a course ; but it was not to be, and to the last the same equivo. eating trimming course was adopted. The resolutions have been nearly a month on the order paper, and at 7 o’clock, just be. fore Mr M‘Lean rose, a new set of resoly. tions were substituted and distributed. By these it appeared that Mr Fox had decided to ask for i,SUO men only, and had struck out the stipulation binding the Comniis, sioners to offer no more than £lO a man. This was a trifle too much for the Opposh lion. If they bad been dealt with fairly they had no intention to interfere as a party ; but to be tricked in this manner went beyond their patience. This has been sori.lv tried since they crossed the House, and only on one occasion have they shown their strength, J hat was when Mr Fox attempted to Hector the House with regard to Mr liollrston’s resolutions, Mr Stafford administered a very wholesome rebuke, resulting in the first division which could be fastened on the Government, and a majority of II against Ministers. There has been a general desire to give Ministers fair play, and never did any Ministry take fuller advantage of that desire. When in opposition, Mr Yogel declined, or practically prevented the House from giving the late Government £30,000 then in the Bank, but unavailable without appropriation, in order to pay the Colonial forces,— the effect of which would necessarily be to foment as far as possible the ill-feeling of persons to whom Government was indebted, and to increase the difficulties of Mr Stafford’s position. When Mr Fox went into office he immediately asked for £150,000 of Treasury Bills to pay the Colonial forces for the last and next two mouths, and pay the interest of the debt at home due in October. It would have been easy to refuse this, and if refused Mr Vogel and Mr Fox would have been unable to carry out the procrastinating course they have taken. However, Mr Stafford acted in good faith, having determined to give a full support to Mr Fox if he went earnestly into the great business of the country —the suppression of the rebellion. Easy in their minds about money, the Ministry began to think their seats too corn* Portable to be risked, and by a flinching, hesitating system of exposing bits of policy, trying how they would suit, and altering, withdrawing, and postponing these fragments, they have done their best to avoid any chance of danger. If Mr Fox would keep a civil tongue in Ins head on any occasion he might do more good for his party ; but it is as impossible to him to avoid irritating language in the House, as it appears to be natural to him to be agreeable out of it. r J hough never once personally attacked, all the Ministers have made the most unministerial assaults on their predecessors, and on every occasion have been brought to book and their attacks proved to be groundless. Mr Stafford helped Mr Fox to get the 18th llegt. detained, which has rattier offended hia party ; and Mr M‘Leau’s resolutions were not likely to have been opposed systematically, though many members could not bring their consciences to ask lor troops, and in any case would have voted against them. When, however, after so many postponements, a totally different proposal was made without notice, Mr Stafford at once took a stand, and the first battle of an organised Opposition will now be fought. Mr Ormond, who does the dirty work of the Ministry, has capped Mr Stafford’s amendment with one ol his own—- “ by special desire ” —and though Ministers are sure to be deflated on their own many-limes changed resolutions, there is some doubt whether Mr Ormond’s resold tion, diff ring from Mr Stafford’s only as regards the two com missioners, may pass by a majority of one or two. Such a majority would really be caused by the votes ol the intended commissioners themselves. But Mr Fox is not particular, and wouid gladly spend £6UOO (the estimated cost of sending them home), if he could in any way re ain his seat. It is too preposterous to send home two commissioners to ask for one regiment, but that is but a part of 4 system. One half of Mr Fox’s votes are those of paid Provincial Executive officers or salaried Ministerialists j and many of the rest are promised permanent paid positions.