The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1877.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 215, 11 September 1877, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1877.

A ferusal of the newspapers published in various parts of the colony must lead the reader, whatever may have been his previous political prejudices or predilections, to the conclusion that the country is getting excessively tired of the existing Ministry, while, that they have not the confidence of the House is made equally clear by the columns of Hansard, yet, notwithstanding the hostility they have evoked, they still contrive to retain their seats, the reason being that although their opponeuts are in a numerical majority, the sole bond of union that exists between them is a dislike to the present holders of office. If these were turned out the probability is that those who voted to depose them would immediately . fall out among themselves, and with such a prospect before (hem none care to take the initiative in bringing forward a no confidence motion knowing that, eveu if they were successful in carrying it, their chances of remaining occupants of the Treasury .Benches until the end of the session would be but small. Sir George Grey has been a lamentable failure as leader of the Opposition, and there is no reason whatever for supposing that he would prove a greater success as the head of a Government, so that there is little likelihood of his party assuming power, as the votes of a small body of enthusiasts would be all the support that he could safely reckon upon. And yet without him and his following any attack that might be made on the Government would be pretty sure to meet with defeat. Notwithstanding this, however, there is a section of the House known as the " Middle Party," which seems to be growing in numbers and influence if wo may credit the various reports that reach us through the public press. A few extracts from the journals to which we allude will afford our readers some information as to the attitude likely to be assumed by this partv and the amount of support that they will" probably receive, and although their chance of success does not appear to be large, the mere fact that so much is said and written about them shows that considerable importance is attached to the appearance of this new element. The first mention of this party that came under our notice was contained in the following paragraph from the Wellington Po<t of the 3lsfc ultimo :— "The rumors which have of late been iloating in the political atmosphere, as to the formation of a new party, have now taken definite and tangible shape. This I morning, a meeting of some of the leading men in the Opposition, tmd several members I on the ofc'ier side of the House, was held, and preliminary steps were taken to form a middle party, which appears likely to present a strong front. Mr Montgomery will be the leader of the party, backed up by Mr Gisborne, Air Macandrew, and others. Four former supporters of the Government have deiiuitely giren in their adhesion to the new party; three others will secede if the Government insist upon the ' religious clause ' in the Education Bill; and upon the action of the Ministry with respect to native lands i the votes of at least three of their present supporters will depend. Sir George Grey

has declined to give up the leadership ©f the Opposition, and he will consequently remain at the head of a small section holding extreme views. They will, however, vote with ' the middle party ' against the Government." The next we hear of this party is f rota the Wellington Argus, but our contemporarydoes not speak in very hopeful terms of the success of the movement. It however, offers a little advice to Ministers which most people will think they would do well to accept: — "The ' Middle Party ' as its partizans are pleased to call it," says the writer, "numbers twenty-eight members; the Opposition under Sir George Grey can say, like Wordsworth's little girl— "We are seven;" and there are about half a score or a dozen of members sittiug on a rail, aud waiting for whatever may turn up, if haply it may prove to their advantage. Here then at least are forty-five members utterly disaffected to the Government,—a fact which renders Parliamentary Government in any really efficient fashion all but hopeless. The Government, of course, is the best judge of its own honor; its members ought to know better than others when they possess the coufidenca of the House and when that confidence is withdrawn. But in present circumstances it does appear that the Government should take its stand upon some one measure or principle of a measure, aud intimate that by ittMinisters propose to' stand or fall, thus either ending or mending the present unsatisfactory, state off' things. One would have thought. .that the:. Native Lands Bill was a measure of this 'kind— a Bill which had been printed 'and circulated during the recess, and thereafter heralded in the Governor's speech—but the public* were mistaken. It has gone. Well, let jfc be the Waste Lands Bill or the Education'. Bill or some other Bill, which has not yet inade its appearance, but which can be so carefully drawn as to prove a test of the feelings of the House. An indeterminate policy — a policy at the mercy of a faction— is worse than weakness. It blights the honor of l parliamentary life aud is injurious to every department of public business." Then the correspondent of the Auckland Star, who is generally well informed on what is taking place in the little world of politics in Wellington, telegraphed on Thursday last :— " At a meeting of the Middle Opposition Party, held in the Parliamentary Buildings, nineteen attended, and seven others sent apologies. Two other3 who did not attend are known to sympathise. After a discussion, which lasted fully an hour,',au Executive Committee was appointed to take action. The party was entirely unanimous in its view as to the necessity of taking step3 to form an organised Opposition to the present Government. Most of the principal members present made speeches, but no leader of the party was appointed— the work of direction and control being left to the Executive Committee, which is 3mall in number. Sir George Grey still retains seventeen followers, including Dignan, Tole, Rees, Reader Wood, Sheehan, Stout, Macandrew, and others. Only three Auckland members attended yesterday's Middle Party caucus. Five members attended from Otago. The attendance from the Middle Island was about eqnal. Mr. Wakefield was present, and this is regarded as significant of Mr Stafford'3 predilections. It is understood that the two main, points of the new party are localisation of the laud fund, and shelving the question of Seperatien for some time. Mr Itpwe sent an apology, being engaged on a committee. Mr Wakefield's Land Fund resolution is to be moved on going into Committee of Supply.. It is geuerally understood to have been drafted by Mr Stafford. The Middle Party attempt to preserve a most impenetrable silence about yesterday's proceedings, and, when applied to by reporters, state that to divulge particulars would frustrate their object. It is understood that at the meeting each member pledged himself to strictest secrecy." And to this he added on the following day: — " Messrs Lusk, Hamlin, and Sheehan, were the Auckland members present at the Middle Party caucus. Sir George Grey is rather annoyed at the desertion of some of his own followers. He remonstrated with Mr Lusk yesterday. The Government whips and ardent supporters are endeavoring to sow dissension between Sir George Grey's party and the Middle party. It is now considered doubtful whether the two parties will be able to work together. The Middle party will probably hold together this session, and try to form a strong Opposition next session. A statement in the Ebening Post that Sir George Grey contemplates resigning and returning to Kawau is utterly unfouuded. Sir George Grey will remain at his post to the last, if his health does not fail. He ia carefully saving his strength." The paragraph in tha Post alluded to above was as follows: — " Complications have arisen with respect to the new middle pajty. They are once more at head? and tails with respect to the adoption of a definite policy. Sir George Grey resents the contemplated usurpation of his position, and threatens to retire to Kawau. It is now doubtful whether a coalition is possible of accomplishment botween the middle party of 21 members— with some 3 doubtful—and Sir George Grey's lot, numbering some 17. Altogether, the Opposition is again reverting to a state of chaos." Our last extract will be from the Christchurch Press, which looks at the movement with a critical eye, calmly discusses the chances of success of the new party, and sums up dead against them. The following is from a leader of the sth instant: "The Middle Party is getting on. We hear that a meeting of its members was held yesterday, and was attended by, among others, Messrs Kolleston, Travers, and Gisborne. Theso gentlemen had not previously, we believe, consented to join the party, nor do we know' that they have yet absolutely given in their adhesion to it. Our information does not enable us to speak positively aa to what took place at the meeting; and there is no use in repeating rumors that are doubtless exaggerated, if not unfounded. Wo understand, however, that a resolution was passed condemning the Government for general administrative and Parliamentary inability, and that the advisableness of speedily taking some decidedly aggressive step is now under consideration. Altogether, the new party, as we said, ia getfciug on. The recent accessions are of importance, a3 they are men capable of taking office, and therefore add to the material available for the formation of a new administration. But two difficulties remain. In the first place, the party is not yet suited with a leader. There is no one among them who has an indisputable claim to the post, or, we may probably add, whom his colleagues agree in considering fit for it. There are half a dozen lieutenants, but no captain. In the second place, they have not a majority. After allowing for every defection from the Ministerial ranks, their only chance of turning out the Governmeufc lies in allying themselves with the other section of the Opposition, who will act with them for that purpose, but for nothing else. On the latter point shall very likely have more definite news in a day or two. At present it seems to us that the so-called Middle Party have to choose between two alternatives. They may be self-reliant and in a minority, or they may be dependeut on the assistance' and support of the Greyites The result must be fatal in either case. In the one, the party will be a failure. In the other, whatever success it achieves will be gained only by the total sacrifice of the principles and the line of political conduct for the sake of which it professes to have been formed." The foregoing may ba regarded as fair

representations of public opinion from difierent points of view, but, while none of the writers breathe even the softest of sighs over the evident desire to depose the present Ministry— to. which, the riew party must owe its conception, the hope& v of its. ultimate success art* so slight chast we are dispose&to accept as correct the statement of the Post that " the Opposition is again reverting to a state of chaos." And so the weakest and most servile Ministry with which New Zealand has ever been afflicted is likely to retain office for yet another year.