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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5211, 4 December 1877, Page 2

It may be reasonably concluded that there will be no more fighting this session, and that the Grey Ministry will retain office, at all events until early in next session. We have no hesitation in saying, despite the assurances of their supporters to the contrary, that the object of Sir George Grey and Mr. Macandrew in office will be _the destruction of the unity of the colony. In other words, they will endeavor to accomplish separation and the removal of the seat of Government from Wellington. Of course, as we have said, their supporters, on their behalf, disclaim any such intentions; but it is remarkable that we have had no distinct pledge in the matter from either of the gentlemen named, whilst tor a long time previously to their accession to office, in season and out of season, both gentlemen made separation and the removal of the seat of Government cardinal points by which to regulate their political course. We know that Sir George Grey in one speech said something grandly indefinite about the unity of the colony, but there is no doubt that if Sir George could carry some such scheme as he brought forward last session and was defeated upon, he would assure us that this was quite in accord with his words when he spoke of the unity of the colony. It is not yet too late, however, for the Ministers to give a definite assurance in this matter, and it will be better for themselves if they should do so. Their organs all over the colony are sounding the prelude to separation and the removal of the seat of Government, and unless we receive very plain contradiction from themselves we must fain believe their newspapers. The Otago Daily Times, as was natural, was the first to start this cry. In a would-be funny manner it says in a late issue —“ A third Minister has fallen a victim to the pestiferous exhalations of Ministerial pigeon holes. Is there nothing in political, as in medical science, to prevent such mischief? Can there not be found some political carbolic acid or Condy’a fluid to destroy the poison germs of corruption that seem to taint the whole of the atmosphere of Ministerial Departments ? Could anything more plainly show the advantages that would accrue from a change of the seat of Legislature and of Government if it were but for a season ? Let tho paraphernalia be transferred to Aharon, or Dunedin, or Christchurch, or Auckland, or anywhere, so that there might be a cleaning up, and tho rooms might bo made sweet and wholesome in a manner befitting an honest Government; and as nothing has such a purificatory power as fire, suppose it were applied to the Government buildings. (They are heavily insured).” It is just as well that the people of Wellington should have their eyes opened in this matter. It is all very well for the Ministry to hoodwink them just at present by specious phrases without distinct pledge or promise. At a distance influences like that plainly sot forth in the Otago Daily Times are at work, and they will come to fruition to a certainty.