The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1884.

Kumara Times, Issue 2395, 2 May 1884, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1884.

It irt Incoming more evident every day that we are about to have a change of Government very soon. We take this opinion not so much from the speeches an.l writings of Opposition members as from speeches of Ministers themselves in their present tour. Every one of them, from the Premier down, in their speeches showed that they felt them-, selves on the eve of a change, and have occupied the last moments of power in giving reasons for their various actions, and also in vilifying their opponeuts. It appears to please them to set up Mr Montgomery at the head of the Opposition, but in that perhaps the wish is "father to the thought," for that easygoing gentleman would not be likely to remain long in power were he once there. One cannot help admiring the firmness with which the present members of the Ministry have clung to each other s" far in their adversity, and even if the v. von electors will have no more of Mr Kolle-iton, when they come to think over the matter calmly thev will not be ashamed of themselves for havkept him in Parliament for sixteen years, especially after the noble way in which he kept to his colleagues and their opinions, even at the expense of his scat. Although that same spirit of determination shows too plainly that Mr Kolleston could never lie persuaded to look on mining as an industry that i enquired one imaging, and therefore giving usabout the only reason we have lor wishing his party removed from office. What qualification Mr Itollcslon possessed to be constituted a Minister of Mines, we have never been aide 10 perceive, lie seemi to take not the slightest interest in gold-mining matters and a ything he does seems to be at the dictation of the department. If any ■-.M-.evanei: is laid before him, lie will appoint commissioners and order reports to be f'urni.-.hed, and then turn a !:;■!' cr; 1!..' sn -j v's rcf-ned i„ in j our iiitJujorauUuiii, letter, or even a

petition signed by many hundreds of miners, have been regarded as so much wastepaper, and have been mostly answered by the words " nuder the consideration of the Government," or, it may be, not at all. Had the present Government fostered this industry as its importance deserves, men who are parading the streets of our large towns would probably not now be crying out for work; and, instead of miners struggling hard by night and day, as they are on this gold field, for a bare subsistence for themselves and their families, most of their earnings going to swell the revenue of the colony, double the population, and twice the amount of returns from each claim would probably rule where at present life is but vexation aod a drudgery.