MR FITZHERBERT AND THE MINISTRY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 21, 17 June 1871, Page 14

MR FITZHERBERT AND THE MINISTRY.

[From the Independent, June 16.] The result of the " confidential" meeting convened by Mr Fitzhevbert on Tuesday has, we are informed, been telegraphed by some Wellington correspondent to the « Otago Daily Times.' We do not know the exact terms of the message, nor are we veiy curious. If, as is most likely, it has been sent by " Our Own Correspondent" in Wellington, who has attained an unhappy notoriety, it is very likely that the declinature by Mr Fitzherbert of a seat in the Ministry is represented with " Our Own's" well known political bias. But be this as it may, it is evident that the confUeuce reposed by Mr Fitzherbert in the gentlemen whom he summoned together has been abused, and the matter has now, by this breach of honor, become a fit subject for public comment. It would be affectation on our part, therefore, to keep silence on a .matter that must now be known throughout the colony. The facts of the case are, we believe, simply these : —A portfolio was offered by the Premier to the Hon Mr Fitzherbert, who, before accepting it, wished to consult those who had so recently promoted his election as Superintendent. He doubtless thought the circumstances in which he is placed so special as to require more than ordinary consideration, and accordingly adopted the unusual course of inviting by circular these gentlemen to meet in the Odd Fellows' Hall on Tuesday last, where he submitted the matter to their considration. We thought at the time, and still think, that the course was as unwise as it was unusual. We do not perhaps know fully the reasons that led so experienced a politician as his Honor, to explain the offer made by Ministers to an indiscriminate meeting of their friends and foes ; but if he did err, as we still humbly take leave to think he did, it was only, we readily believe, from over-anxiety to redeem any pledge be had by implication given, in assuming, at their request, the office of Superintendent of the province. He did not pledge himself to hold office longer than six months; but to resign it even for another, in which he might be more useful to Wellington, before the expiry of that term, without consulting them, seemed scarcely courteous. He did not perhaps sufficiently think of the position of ministers, in the event of a vote adverse to his acceptance of office being passed by this conclave of irresponsible advisers. But nHmporte ; .this course was taken. As any one might have predicted, Mr Fitzherbert was considared too good a Superintendent for Wellington to be readily parted with* and it was thought by many that the addition of a Superintendent to the Ministry during the recess (for which there is, we believe, no precedent) was open to grave objection ; but in view of the jealousies of the Middle Island provinces, especially so in the case of Wellington. • It was thought by some, who anxiously seek to forecast the future, that the new policy enunciated by Mi* Fitzherbert in opening the Council would not have a fair chance, if left to be carried out under any other Superintendent. Perhaps, too, the fact that even were he to hold the office until the end of the session, his usefulness in it would be materially affected by the demands made upon his time and energies by his duties as a Colonial Minister. We cannot but admit the force of these considerations; nor are we prepared to deny that the extremely nairow proving cialists, whose inconsistencies we have lately enlarged upon, might probably have considered the Ministry weakened rather than strengthened by bis accession. We have good reason for saying that the existence of this Middle Island jealousy was not ignored'by Mr Fitzherbert, but mainly influenced him, both in coming to a decision, and in adopting the course of convening this meeting "extraordinary." While we do not attach so much importance to it as Mr Fitzherbert evidently does, there can bo no doubt, that if by giving the Superintendent of Wellington a seat in the Cabinet, the Ministry laid themselves open to the charge of what the Dunedin « Evening Star" calls <• Wellington proelivifciss/ 1 his accession would, havo been a 80UV09 ot wenkwegs rather than of oMsh WD .un<W«n4 -ftti tfff

Fitzherbert has since declined the offer. While we regret that the colony has not gained an able Minister, we console ourselves by reflecting that the province has not lost a Superiendent of whom it is the merest justice to say that he is every day, by his great zeal and ability, gaining the confidence and regard of the whole province. Wo trust that when the term has expired for which he pledged himself to hold offi-e, that he will dissolve the Council and stand for the Superintendency. We are sure that there will be no one to oppose him--no, not even from Wanganui ! What can we say more ? It is gratifying to be able to add that his refusal was not in any way owing to any difference of opinion on the policy, or any want of confidence in the members of the Government. On the contrary, we have good reason for stating that Mr Fitzherbert will cordially support the Government, and give them all the assistance in his power. The Wellington correspondent of the " Otago Daily'fides" speaking of the " supporters of the present Government who helped to induce him to come forward," in a recent letter to that very credulousjournal stated:—"Tbesepeople are likely to find their little calculations wofully upset, and to discover that Mr Fitzherbert, as Superintendent of Wellington, is decidedly as strong, and cer tainly much more formidable as Mr Fitzherbert, the simple member for the Hutt. Jn fact, I consider that Mr Fitzherbert's election pretty well seals the fate of the present Ministry, Nearly, if not quite all, of the Wellington members will be prepared to follow his lead, and if it comes to a question on which the fate of the Ministry depends, his weight will be given heartily to displace them from office." We have authority for stating that this veracious correspondent, with ail his peculiar sources of information, was never farther out, and will find his own " calculations wofully upset." " The simple member for the Hutt" (an epithet surely more appropriate to the journal that inserts these Wellington letters) will not be " a dangerous enemy," but, unless the Government change their policy, "a warm supporter."