Mataura Ensign GORE, FRIDAY JUNE 13, 1884. DEFEAT OF THE GOVERNMENT

Mataura Ensign, Volume 7, Issue 365, 13 June 1884, Page 2

Mataura Ensign GORE, FRIDAY JUNE 13, 1884. DEFEAT OF THE GOVERNMENT

Tup political situation has undergone a Btariling change since our last i^sue. Parliament opened ominously. The Governor's Speech was loug and thin. It was a example of the power of \vovd:i to disgui.-ie thoughts, or. at least of the power of m. i :n to ust; words without thoughts. To tell the colony i'roin the throne that limes are hard, that the weather has been bad, that prices arc low, and that they will risa when the maiket improves is like a scheme to make the throne ridiculous. We certainly think that a much shorter address, even if it had no more in it, would have been, more politic on the part of the Oovernment. They are now open to the charge of trying to hide their nakedness in a cloud of dust. However, it is quite possible if they had said less they would have got credit for having nothing to say, so perhaps the only loss is the waste of telegraphing and printing power. It may not be unprofitable, even in view of the extraordinary uirn things have taken, to briefly refer to the Speech, which promised a Bill for extending the perpetxial leasing system to all parts of the colony. This we imagine is not a matter about which many hearts are burning. The direct steam service is then mentioned with considerable satisfaction of tone, as is also the fact that although the steamers and other things have greatly increased the i consumption of coal the quantity imported has scarcely increased for three years. This is no doubt a cheerful fact to contemplate, but we cannot but smile to see the Government carefully dragging every cheerful fact into the Address to give it a pleasant appearance. We are then told that a Bill would be introduced to regulate the sale or other disposal of lands belonging: to aboriginal natives. The proposal to stop the direct dealing of private parties with the natives was in the right direction though it savors of locking the stable-door after the steed^ has been stolen. In the short paragraph addressed to the House pf Representatives we are told that the revenue has fallen off and that '* this reduction in the colonial revenue caLs for greater economy and diminished expenditure in the public service." The Speech does not explain the difference between •' greater economy" and "diminished expenditure;" neither does it .show why, iff the diminished expenditure : s possible, it was not brought about In-fore a reduction of revenue called for it. Other voices certainly called for it long before, but were not listened to. A long section of the Address was then devoted to and a draft Bill was. promised. The Government scarcely made Federation a pank of their platsorm, but they mad*? it so prominent that they will if still entrusted with power surely be forced to acknowledge a wish to do so. This shows courage but we fear not wisdom under the cir. cumstances. Beferring to the railways the Address tells us that there has been a large increase of traffic inducing a considerable growth in the industries of the colony. Surely it, is growth in the industries that induces increase of traffic and not the {increase of traffic that induces the growth of industries. The only point that awakened any interest in the Assembly during the delivery of Jthe Address was the reference to the North Island main trunk line, for which it was resolved last session to borrow a special million. The bone of contention ia the route to be chosen. When, therefore, His Excellency read "Your approval will be asked for that route — " there was evidently a strained attention and an expectation of a putting down of its foot on the part of the Government. When, however, the Speech went on "which is shown to offer the greatest advantages " there was a sold sort of a look on most faces. It was very like saying "Your approval will be asked for that route which you like beat." A Bill was also promised to reform the Constitution of the Civil Service as often complained of in these columns. The Bill would provide for competitive examinations and for promotion to the competent. It is needless to say that the Address jn Jieply is a mere echo of the Governor's tepf-ech, with the pronouns and verbs altered so as to make the House say to His Excellency almost the very things he tirs'i said to it. JNFo small amount of { ilk haa been caused by the fact that Mr ', W. GSkken seconded the Adi3K.s in-Rf-pl/, When recently before j -, .':.■ -105 .:' ho Vi'liMUfv f> • \'" 'HO hlfli■i, •< i-i / -I ' ''-'I *•• ' l. [i;j),i; I, ,i:C triV i.i II Hi i-'i' ( .i-:!.lUll i < i; • L-. -L-n-lc'iMii " A 'i'h v uonsei-.-nc • is p:-.'j !>..«,.>!>' ;« f.iit i:n!icitiouof what many wb'KJiv. v>!li do before the session is over, unless, indeed, it terminates immediatfly. Under the paculjar, sur- : jouudinus w^ will not at this point si v ;«ny him* of i lie' debate on the Addr.sviu-Jieply except that it is I almost an echo of what the hon. I genllemen have been preaching before their constituents for the i past month op two. We had exj pected that the debate would have been I pio'oßjged till the forces of botlj sjidei

had mustered ; but the various sections of the Opposition succeeded in consolidating themselves and have defeated the 'Gaye rnment. Whnfcviext ? That mi a question upon which, .writing as we do before the latest information from Wellington is to hand, we do not feel inclined to pronounce; .with much d-iiniteness ; but it seems; to. us that the only (solution of fcbe difrteulty wiU be an appeal to the country, not with standing thp enormous expense that will bt: involved by two sessions in one year, and a general election now and another in November. Possibly , some, plan may be devised by ' which this may bn avoided, nut. we much doubt it. It is evident the Atkinson" part/ cannot carry on, and we do not think the gallant Major will improve his position by declining to resign because the confidence motion was not introduced, by a recognised leader of the Opposition. That is a paltiy quibble, and »a f;jir h^ we can see th-j Ministry should at once give up the reins or apply to theJGovernor for a dissolution, which thure is little doubt will bf granted. They tannot hope to cirry on the busine.-'S of the country, and it is quite evident that if the Grey- Montgomery parties step into their shoes they too wiil ' fail to command a majority sufficient to ensure the passage of their measures through the Hutuse. At least half the " Outs " desiru office, and so long as this unpatriotic feeling r«ij/ns, so long will the formation of a stable Ministry from that side of the House remain an utter impossibility. :