THE MINISTRY [From the "Morning Herald," April, 12]

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 554, 6 August 1851, Page 4

THE MINISTRY [From the " Morning Herald," April, 12]

Wo are as wise to-day as we wore yesterday a 9 to the reasons which induced Ministers and their adherents to oppose the motion of Mr. Disraeli last night. The only cause assignable to this course of policy is the same which advised the Monarch from the Throne, at the commencement of the session, to acknowledge and coramisserate the distressed condition of the owneas and occupiers of land, and in a few days afterwards to refuse even and inquiry into the grievances which the Government bad advised the Sovereign to recognise. The love of office, under any circumstances of discomfiture or disgrace, which has ever been the distinguishing characteristic of Whiggery — that is the cause of the opposition by Government to the reasonable and temperate propositions of Mr. Disraeli last night, when every other reason — when loyalty to the advice tendered to their Queen, should have demanded their concurrence with it. It is impossible to-day to take a general review of the speeches delivered in the course of the debate on the amendment of the hon. member for Bucks, but there is one remarkable feature connected wilh it to which we cannot avoid directing attention — the few and faint sentences in which the Premier announced his opposition to it. The noble lord deprecated the frequency of the motions, and of the consequent damaging divisions which had been inflicted upon the Government, With great justice he thus advocated the material .interestsj of his colleagues. In this regaul let us quote the words spoken by Lord John Russell on the 24th of February last, when explaining the reasons why he deemed it absolutely necessary as a result impelled by a regard to ' political character, that he should throw up the reins of government. Here are his lordship's words in reference to Mr. Disraeli's former motion :— " There was therefore a majority of 14 on a question of this kind, brought forwaid hostilely to the Government. At the commencement of the session, \ when the Chancellor of the Exchequer had given notice to bring forward his financial statement, a majority of 14 only would much tend to weaken a Government having such a small majoiity in its faror. But on the 20th of February a motion was made with respect to a certain question of parliamentary reform, and on that question, although in a thin house, when there were little move than 150 members present, tbe Government were beaten by a majority of nearly two to one (hear, hear;." llow destructive of ministerial capacity appeared on this occasion a majority of f ow teen 1 llow will Lis lordship act to day, in reference to the majority of tUrteen which last night rescued him from absolute defeat ? Let us, however, pursue our recollections of Lis lordship's emphatic opinions delivered on the same occasion. Continuing his deprecation of repeated motions and virtual defeats, th(> Premier said.— •« I thought likewise that it was a very dangerous and disadvantageous thing for the country that the government should continue to render itself liable to defeats from tuao to tune, having but a very small majority at any time, and, therefoie, carrjingon a kind of lingering existence dm ing a gieat period of the session. (Hear, hear.) I theiefore, assembled the members of tbe Cabinet, and I stated to them it was my opinion that the best course we could take as a Ministry was to tender our resignations to Her Majesty, and thus enable Tier Majesty to form anolueradmims- : tration/' How many similar icasons for lesignation

have occuired since these opinions actuated the noble lord ? We cm scarcely reckon them just now ; therefoic, let us asli) quofing the ©jiinions of his lordship — will he to-day consider that (he best couvse he and his colleagues can take as a Ministry is to tender their resignations to her Majesty, and thus enable her Majesty to foim another Administration.