Manawatu Herald. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1870. THE NO-CONFIDEBATE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 12, 3 October 1879, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1870. THE NO-CONF I DEBATE.

* The speech made by Mr Hall, in moving the no-confidence amendment, does not differ materially in substance from that Sir Wm. Fox made in July. The chief difference is in the style, for while the late

leader of the Opposition adopted throughout a scolding, screeching manner, and especially aimed his shafts at Sir G-eorge Grey, Mr Hall appears to have gone to the other extreme. His speech reads so pleasantly, that one involuntarily asks the question, " Does he feel and realise tlie importance of his duty, and the reality of what he says ?" A few weeks ago, we remarked, "Mr .Hall has a calmness and dignity which are indispensable in the leader of a parfcy, although he lacks individuality of character and sel f-assertiveness." The speech he has made convinces us of the truth of oiu' statement. He evidently lacks enthusiasm and intensity, and appears to have cultivated the suaviter in modo to such a degree thafc the fort iter in re is almost eclipsed. His pleasantries were not sarcasms which would make his parfcy burst into laughter, but cause his opponents to writhe. The "jokes" were pointed so pleasantly that both friends aud foes could join in the merriment they raised, whilst the veiy men they were aimed at would doubtless regard them as excellent fun. Mr Hall niade-_..ie same charges against the Ministry as those uttered by Sir Wm. Fox. He charged them with neglecting to fulfil their promise of economic administration, with using the Government steamers for election and piivate purposes, with bungling native affairs and finance, with tampering with the public Press by advertisements and the special wire, with unfair treatment of the Civil Service, with neglecting the duties of the department of Justice, and refraining from improving the Lunatic Asylums. He charged the Premier with being autocratic, and with having used the telegraph and the Government steamers to promote the return of candidates favorable fco his parfcy. He referred to the elections, and charged the Government with having used their power to buy votes through public works, notably in the case of the Mikonui waterrace, the Napier Bridge, the Christchurch clock, and the Sydenham local subsidies. The above are the reasons upon which Mr Hall bases his amendment, " Thafc while this House is prepared to give effect to the Liberal measures desired by the country, it feels bound to submit to his Excelleucy that his Excellency's Government, as at present constituted, does not possess the confidence of this House." From a cursory examination of Mr Hall's speech, it is evident he did not " stick to his text." The whole emphasis of his amendment rests in the words, " as at present constituted." We take that to mean that whilst there are some members of the Ministry with whom he would be willing to work, tbere

are others who should be got rid of. In fact, the amendment points to a reconstruction of >>_i ties and a Coalition Ministry. No such thing was referred to by Mr Hall in his speech, which really was upon the alleged maladministration of the Government, and not upon the " constitution " of the Ministry. We therefore conclude that the idea of a Coalition has beon given up as impracticable, and~ that Mr Hall intends, if successful, to form a -Ministry purely from his own party.