The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1879.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 6, 7 January 1879, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1879.

Tiifbe can be little doubt that Sir George Grey's recent speech at the Thames, which was so eagerly looked forward to throughout the colony, has had the effect of to a very great extent turning the tide which up to very lately was running so strongly in his favor. That hostile comments should appear in the Opposition papers was of course to be expected, but there is something very significant in ihe fact that journals such as the Otayo Daily Times, N, Z. Herald, and Lyttelton Times all of which have hitherto been his staunchest supporters, should not only refrain from saying a word in his favor but actually express strong disapproval of his actions and sayings. The Lyttelton Times is severe in its comments on his conduct with regard to the Electoral Bill, and the explanation he offers, while the N. Z. Herald thus writes of the faults of omission displayed in the late speech:— " There was a general expectation throughout the country that the Premier, when he addressed his constituents, would do something in the way of pulling his party together, and setting forth a programme for next session; a programme of measures in a direction in which some movement has already been made, but less extensive than that of last session, and more practical, having eliminated from it those subjects as to which the House and country have shown such entire apathy, that no Ministry can expect , to do anything with them. A public man may ad*dt£ue changes, respecting which he stands almjgr alone, but a Minister must do the work <^eh the country expects of him. It was thought that the Premier would dwell on the achievements of the Ministry, which were unquestionably great ; would make a point of their vast and ensuring importance ; and seek to arouse interest in the matters which the Ministry purpose to deal with in the future. It is not to be" wondered at that disappointment should be felt, when it was found that a large part of the Premier's speech waa occupied with the discussion of subjects in which the large mass of the people feel very little interest" Viewed in the light of the straw which

indicates the direction in which the wind is setting, the recent political utterances of the three journals named above cannot be regarded as otherwise than pregnant with meaning.