THE Manawatu Times. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6,1879. THE STATE BARNACLE.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 63, 6 August 1879, Page 2

THE Manawatu Times.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1879. THE STATE BARNACLE.

v Words nt» tiling*, nnd a drop of ink falling like dew upon it thought; produces th-1 whioh makes thousands, perhaps millions think."- -'

JThb Ministerial journals which quarrel with the Opposition for having impeached ;]the Government upon the matter of administration, only prove how weak and ridiculous is their cause of complaint. It has been urged as an argument against ' the bursting of Sir Geobge Grey from the Treasury "Benches, that his policy was the same on the night of the division which carried the " want of confidence," as it was upon the Premier'.s first assumption of office* Surely, those who make such an assertion—and we. aire not going to find fault with it— must forget that it is one of the gravest charges which coil 1 d be laid against any Ministry, andthe very strongest reason why the.reins of power should be taken from incompetent hands. It would be but poor consolation to a patient to be informed by the doctor to whose care he had committed] his case, that he had .m his possession a rpcipe which would have proved an infallible remedy for the sufferer's^ills, and still througli not applying it, the; case had become hopeless ; but that was exactly the state of Sir .George Grey's policy and administration. It is no satisfaction to the country to be told that the programme which was unfolded two years ago is still to be adhered to, and that the Cabinet has had no reason to change its policy. : It is but reasonable a demand should be made for an explanation as. to why that policy or programme had not been carried put. An effort^ but certainly one of the very weakest •haracter, has been made to prove that the administration of the Government has not been faulty, but the overwhelming majority which registered their votes adversely, puts such a supposition out of court. That priviliged brawler, the hon. member for Auckland City West, itv exceedingly bad taste, and even, worse language, hurled broadcast maledictions and enathemas against any quondam follower of the Knight of Kawau Who deserted, his colors and went over to the enemr, and the irate orator would not give credit for sincerity of action to those who refused! to give a blind adhereneeto bis; choleric vGhjef.v It isa kind of traditionary belief, that "the King can do no wrong," but Mr. JRees would fain make us believe that the immunity from error extended to Her Majesty's Ministers, for not withstandi ng thatthe Grand .Tn ry have brought m a true bill, the MmV terial satellite still cries Allah , and declares Sir Gkobge to be the true Prophet. Tbefe can be no doubt that m conceding the dissolution asked forby the defeated Premier, Sir Hercules "RouTsrsov was only acting iii strict conformity with the constitutional practice, still when we consider what, must be the rn«iult of •the^ step— the waste of ralnable time and the reckless and useless exoenditure of the, public money— it is to be regretted that His Excellency ]had no option m the matter, but was compelled to saddle the country, with ! such a cost,' merely to gratify the ] morbid vanity of a worsted politician. -Although no doubt the Conservative party, who for tbe nonce have installed Sir WrLLTAM Fox as their "leader, may take credit to themselves for compelling an appeal to the country, they must not imagine that the Ministerial defeat was a victory gained over Liberalism. Quite the contrary. The voice of the people is still m favor of Liberalism ; the majority of the Legislature raised their voices m defence of its principles, but they recorded their votes to exnel from office] one who, however honestly intentioned, proved no better than a stumbling-block m the way of reform. Had notSjr George Gbet been possessed of the most over-weening egotism, he would have received the lesson conveyed by the wholesale disaffection of his followers m a fitting spirit, aud jrelm^uished a

pnmmand for which friend and foe alike declared him to be incapable. Had hi* truculent and blatant henchman, Mr.]:W. L. Rbes, been possessed of a particle of sensitiveness he might -have attributed the deserjtion to ]ifcs proper cause, and thus ihave been] saved from making hjmr jself more notorious by the vitupera;tiyefslangin,"; of his more discerning brethren. Had Sir G-eoiige G-ret, upon the declaration of the divisionlist, met 'his.]dc{eM'''aß'mauy'a brave man has before, by gracefully surrendering up his command, he would have taken with him into his retirement the hearty sympathies of Parliament and people, and the action would be worthy of his chivalrous conduct m emergins: from his seclueion to lead the Forlorn Hope of Provincialism. He has now certainly secured to, himself and his colleagues place and pay for the interval which elapses until he meets the new House, but so surely as that event occurs he will find himself confronted by an opposing force more formidable than ever, while his followers will resemble the army of the fat Knight.