The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY). FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1879.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5794, 24 October 1879, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY). FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1879.

Although not much progress has been made with business by the House of Representatives, thanks to the persistent obstructiveness of Sir G, Grey —who does not attempt to conceal the fact that lie is the real master although not the titular leader of the Opposition—the time has not been wholly lost. Sonv' valuable lessons have been learned, a"' ment and the country begin what Greyism really means, and what its true tendencies are. “I will drag you “at my chariot wheels,” says the Dictator to the representatives of the people, and you shall grace the triumph of democratic principles in my distinguished person ! There has been some-

what too much of this, and it is satisfactory to hear that reasonable men on both sides of the House are now earnestly seeking a way out of the difficulty in which Parliament is landed, without having recourse to a second appeal to the people within such a short space of time as has elapsed since the last general election. The inconveniences of such an appeal at this time are great, and not unattended with danger to the public interests ; but of a successful result, in a party sense, there cannot be a doubt. Light has been let in upon the dark places : the true condition of the Treasury and tho true state of the colonial finance have been ascertained, and whilst the jobbery, the corruption, and the reckless extravagance of the Native Department have been exposed, the wild and unbusiness-like management of the Public Works and Immigration Departments has alarmed the people, who see shiploads of immigrants now being daily poured into an overstocked labor market, for which there is no immediate prospect of relief. With all this damning evidence of incompetence, or w'orse, and without the Hinemoa and tho Stella; without special railway trains ; without the control of the telegraph and the treasury ; and without the aid of an army of Government officers and land purchase agents to do his bidding, Sir George Grey would find the stump and his one speech very weak resources. An appeal to the ballot boxes now would certainly result in political extinguishment for him, and although that is a result ardently to be desired, as it can be attained only by imposing great sacrifices upon individuals and by incurring serious general risk, it is desirable if possible to avoid the necessity of such an appeal at this conjuncture. We hope very sincerely that the effort's at accommodation which, as we learn, are now being made on both sides may have a satisfactory result, and that the Premier may be able to announce to-day that such arrangements have been made as will enable Ministers to proceed at once and vigorously with the business of the session. Honorable members who have the courage and spirit to place the exigency of the public service above the exigency of party on this occasion will have deserved well of the country.