The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1878.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5325, 22 April 1878, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1878.

Parliament will meet under very altered conditions this year. Not only will there be a change in the representation of many electoral districts, but the very outlines of party formation will be recast. Recent political shufflings and manoeuvres have completely upset old combinations. The distinction between Abolitionists and Provincialists is practically obliterated, and it is difficult as yet to foresee how parties will shape themselves. We know very well the general line which the leading men of pronounced opinion will take on any given question ; but it is difficult as yet to guess what question will create definite parties, and how the great army of waverors and trimmers will array themselves. We have before pointed out that party government which grew up in England as a system under special historical circumstances is in many respects unsuitable to colonial politics, and that the underlying principles are wanting which permanently divide English politicians into two camps. But it is the duty of our legislators, at any rate for the present, to make the best of the position in which they are placed, and to organise parties on principles which, if of temporary application, are at any rate sound and intelligible. But although the future of parties in the House is anything but clear as yet, there are certain indications which show that the combination which put the present Government in office must break up, and that Sir George Grey’s Government is impossible. The stumping tour of the Premier, and the progress of Cooper and Bailey’s circus through the colony, collected largo enthusiastic crowds ; indeed there are few shows which do not “draw” in New Zealand. There was this in favor of Sir George Grey’s show, that it was gratuitous, or rather appeared to be so. Those who attended it were admitted free at the doors, as the expense fell on the taxpayers generally, whether they attended or not. But when the bill is presented to Parliament, or when it is extracted from the Government, there will not be so much cheering. The Hinemoa under steam for months, the special trains, the men taken off their work to decorate the engines with crowns and other vice-regal insignia—all these items cost money. On the whole. Cooper and Bailey’s plan of charging at the door is the most honest. But now that the show, and the shouting, and all but the examination of the bill is over, what is left ? The dissemination throughout the colony of the conviction already entertained by the Parliament that Sir George Grey is impossible. The intrigue which hoisted him into power contrary to the desire of a majority of the House has served its purpose ; but it has not given us a Government with any elements of' cohesion—a divided Cabinet and a country distrustful and anxious are the results of last year’s politics. In the meantime, reckless promises, scattered North and South with spendthrift profusion, must be faced by the Government. They must break them, and forfeit all public confidence, or they must ask the House to march on the high road to bankruptcy. Now, amid all the doubt and darkness of the future, there is one thing clear, that the country is awakening to the necessity for financial caution. And it is not at all likely that any such proposals for expenditure as the present Government has pledged itself ’to by the mouths of its travelling members, will be listened to by the House of Representatives. Nor will the House approve of the tentative steps towards separation which are already alarming the country. There are rumors afloat of a new party, or new combination, opposed to Sir George Grey’s wild schemes, opposed to separation in any shape, and determined on prudent financial operations. Such a party, if judiciously formed, after consultation with all the men likely to join in supporting such principles, would command a large majority in the House. But we would warn all who are interested in good Government not to attempt an private and personal arrangements, and not to allow themselves to bo manipulated by mere wire-pullers. The circumstances of the colony are grave ; and one of the most serious features of the present position is the obtrusion of personal considerations. We have stumbled into the ridiculous position at present of allowing an ex-Governor to drag us for the moment into all his little world of petty jealousies and enmities ; to listen to him as Premier insulting the Queen’s representative, suggesting jealousy of the mother country and its rulers, and doing his best to foment a class war in the colony, whore all are prosperous and where classes have not hitherto existed. We must get hack to the sober earnest which till lately characterised the proceedings of the Now Zealand Parliament, and always bear in mind that the country can manage its own affairs without accepting the offers of Sir Something This or Mr. That to save it. There will be considerable change in the personneloi the House of Representatives, but it is hard to say yet what the effect will.be. The loss of Mr Stafford is a serious one. Although he has of late taken little part in active party warfare, still his presence in the House was of great importance. He knew the history of our politics better than anyone else, a,nd was always ready, when appealed to, to remind the House of precedents applicable to the case before it. And when he did rouse himself to speak, his voice had still a greater weight in the House than any other individual member;—some self suffi-

cient young men, it is true, preferred their own wisdom, but this was not the general verdict of the House. His seat is filled by Mr Turnbull. What figure he will yet make in the House we have as yet no means of judging, nor can we yet prognosticate what side he will take on many of the moat important questions of the day. But it is no disparagement to him to say that he will not will not fill Mr Stafford’s place. Our old friend Mr Reynolds is to be translated to the Legislative Council. We could have wished that he had left the Lower House with a higher reputation for consistency and loyalty to old friends than he is leaving behind him after his long service there. However, if he is satisfied . with the line of action which he took last session, and for which he has accepted reward at the hands of the present Government, we can only say that we are sorry for it. Of his successor we cannot say more as yet than we can of Mr Turnbull. That he defeated an opponent who put himself forward as a mere foolish admirer of Sir George Grey, is so far in his favor as a man of good sense. Mr. Kennedy was a good member ; one of the quiet, attentive, sensible men, who watched the interests of his constituents carefully, and in general politics consistently adhered to his avowed principles. He will be missed : it is to be hoped that he will have a worthy successor. It is quite tira e that Mr. Larnaoh’s resign ation sh ou Id be sent in. The Dunedin electors can very easily improve upon him. A more unstable, careless member they could not send up. The irony of fate which pitchforked him into the position of Govern-ment-maker was strange enough. The colony has not yet done laughing at the manner in which he fulfilled his duties. Will anyone ever tell the whole story of that caucus at which he pitched the Governor’s commission to form a Government down for a- scramble 1 How the members of the caucus fought over the business and could not agree; and how the present Premier stole in and picked up the prize? Mr Larnach will have a page all, to himself in Hew Zealand history. After all, history would be dull without an. occasional gleam of the comic element. Mr. Lusk has announced his intention of retiring ; so, for the matter of that, has Mr. Db Lautour. The latter is said to have changed his mind, so perhaps may Mr. Lusk. Perhaps they are both only posing before their constituents as great men whose services may be lost if the electors are not sufficiently demonstrative. These two gentlemen have several characteristics in common. Both very vain and self-conceited, though humble ; both fluent, with a preaching conventicle twang most irritating to the House ; both constantly guilty of a coldblooded vulgar insolense of- language obviously got up for effect, and which bears the same relation to hot unguarded expressions in debate ns the malice of a Uriah Heep has to the indignation of a Gladstone. Here in Wellington we have suffered a change. The erratic and versatile Travers has given place to our pocketKbnealey. Whatever Mr. Barton’s merits may be in other respects, he has chosen such a‘discreditable road to Parliament that the electors can only look forward to the first opportunity of retrieving their error. "In these critical times Wellington must have steady members whom she can trust, whose interests are identical with those of the city, men who have been long known and respected. Another erratic member has been lost in Mr. Wood. But not erratic in the same sense as Mr. Travers, nor as versatile. The latter, quick,.ready,.impetuous, not knowing., himself how he might vote from week to week, never, to do him justice, was capable of scheming for his own purposes. It is doubtful whether he ever had any, except of the most temporary and transient nature. But Mr. Reader Wood, in his own queer way, did scheme. An ardent Abolitionist in 1874, he joined the Provincialist Party because he was not offered office by Sir Julius Vogel, after the advances he had made to secure abolition. A member of the old Provincialist Party in 1877, he notoriously mistrusted its leaders, especially Sir George Grey, and absented himself from their councils ; but when he heard of the possible success of the schemes of the Middle Party, back he came like a marplot, and helped to put the Old Man of the Sea on their shoulders. That done, he went off cynically triumphant, having, as he thought, revenged himself all round. We know little of Mr. Moss, but shall not be surprised if he turns out a more steady and useful member than his predecessor. There are other rumors of change, but they have not yet taken shape. At the present time they will be watched with anxiety.