THE STATE OF PARTIES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5763, 18 September 1879, Page 3

THE STATE OF PARTIES.

TO THE EDITOR OK THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —Now that the • L eri is practically at an end, it would he 1 to take a graphic view of the late contest, and to note carefully the different positions of the two antagonistic parties, as compared to those held by them prior to the Mini-teii.il ib-fras, and at toe some time to form some slight idea of what the coming session will be likely to bring forth. Where is now the overwhelming majority of which 3ir George Grey spake so confidently when threatening to appeal to the connlr; That speech, like most of the Premier's, was one of pure bombast, which, iio i v.,ver well th-y may go down with an infatuated mob fit Grcyites, do not in the - I '' ght .st degree W ■ the reasoning members of tile community, win will not allow themselves to lie led away by the violent verbosity of an excited orator, ambitions more for his own personal fame than for the welfare of his country ; and who to gain a short-lived popularity, ruthlessly squanders the national purse on worthless schemes, leaving nothing behind but private distress ami national financial difficult!’. With .an ingenuity worthy of a higher purpose, Sir George raises the standard of so-called Liberalism, hoping by that cry to win to his ranks many recruits from ids opponents. It is another of the many ruses ho often adopted by his party for the purpose of making capital with the people. A disaster has, however, fallen upon the Opposition in the loss of their leader, but though a loss, it is not irreparable. It is, indeed, difficult to find such a combination of true patriotism and thorough statesmanlike ability, which is such a marked characteristic of Sir William Fox, but there are several of the ex-Premier's colleagues, who have been constant witnesses to the exhibitions of his prowess, aud who may reasonably be expected to form worthy successors to one so deserving of imitation as Sir William Fox has always shown himself to be. Honorable, both in public and private life, lie has won the esteem oven of his opponents, never allowing for one moment any personal or party feelings to influence him iu the slightest, but always doing that which he thought was for the good of the colony. That the ensuing session will not prove a quiet one is certain—the two parties are too evenly balanced to admit of either side holding the sway unchallenged. Night after night stormy debates, and nearly even divisions, may be looked for. —I am, &c., Colonist.