The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 1866.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 149, 27 August 1866, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 1866.

The Wellington Independent,, which has hitherto opposed Mr. Stafford's Ministry with ■the greatest vehemence, expresses its cordial concurrence, in the formation of an able and powerful Ministry through the coalition of the Weld party. - It says : — The change of Ministry which has followed cannot be otherwise than satisfactory to the country. At first sight it might have been thought that some leading member of the Weld party would have undertaken the task of forming a new Ministry, but circurnstauces rendered that course unadvisable. Mr. Weld himself was uo louger in the. Assembly, aud a Ministry formed by his party would have beeu exposed to various hostile influences. A strong party in the House, recognisiug Mr. Stafford's ability, were anxious to see him in office again with men of tried ability as his colleagues, and so after much negotiation, Mr. Fitzherbert, Mr. Richmond, and Major Bichardson— the three, leading members of tfcc Weld Ministry— generously agreed to siuk all personal feelings, and lend their serviced to the country. Thus, with Mr. Stafford a, T - its head, one of the strongest and most aMe Ministries that could have been formed, u° w conducts the business of the country. Messrs. Hall and Johnston are both able m.^n, while the retention 1 of Colonel Haultain iv the Defence Office, will secure the services o\' a Minister thoroughly conversant with tl>e arraugemeuts of that department. A i.liuistry .so constituted, is certain tb carry o^t the colouial policy of which we have been thestrenuous advocates, aud, for that reason, it will have the support of this journal. But if is not on that ground alone that' we bespeak ti>e support of Parliament and the country fV*' the^ present Government. In the present crisis of its history, New Zealand required foe services ot its best men, and the Minh^ry which has just taken office is emphatically one of all the talents. When the news reaches .buglaud that, after so many changes, we now posssess a government likely to be permanent, the effect on the credit of tb/e colony will be highly beneficial. A union of ™ c colonial party, and a strong Ooven^ent, agreed to carry out the policy of 18-/> 4 is what New Zealand required, and we l/ope she vow posseses. We had a strong objection to see the affairs of the country practically left iv the hands of Mr. Stafford alone, but we have now every confidence in his Government, composed as it is mainly of gentlemen whose experience and ability are equal to his own.