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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5327, 24 April 1878, Page 2

The Ministerial mind, is troubled about the Cheviot, constituency, Mr.. Charles O’Neill was asked to stand in the inteiests of the Grey Party, and having received promises of very strong support, he favorably entertained the idea, aud was to give a decided answer this morning as.to whether he would oppose Sir Cracroffc Wilson. Now it seems;that Mr. Saunders, one time Superintendent of the pro-, viace of Nelson, is to be the Ministerial champion, and is to be sent forth to do battle against the Knight of, the \ T ale of Cashmere. Why Mr. O’Neill should be cast aside in this unceremonious manner would- at first seem strange, but rumor has it that Mr. Saunders is prepared to avow a political creed which may he interpreted as “ Grey aud nothing but Grey.” He will not come • forward as a liberal, - as a social reformer, as an advocate of a land tax, as an enthusiast in the cause of manhood suffrage, as a believer in triennial Parliaments, as a man craving to deliver a much suffering .people from the oppression of a wealthy oligarchy—lie will not, it is said, contest the election as the advocate of the creed pronounced by the great proconsul at the many public meetings held of late by our peripatetic Premier. Not at all. He will commence, “I* believe in Grey,” and he will go no further. So report says, but it is not easy to believe that any man who has held a responsible public position should consent to so far sink,his political independence as to come forward in such a character.'