THE PATEA MAIL. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays, WEDNSDAY, JULY 21, 1875.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 29, 21 July 1875, Page 2

THE PATEA MAIL. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays, WEDNSDAY, JULY 21, 1875.

Trno recent changes in ini' Cabinet have given the Opposition 'press of the Colony ample food for comment, which many of them have not been at all slow to seize upon ; but for own part we do not sec that the occasion of it has been so dreadfully wrong as many ol the Southern journals try to make out. M lieu Mr Vogel left the Colony to float the last loan, ho went as the accredited agent of the Colony, and as its Premier and Colonial Treasurer carried weight, and placed the loan on very favourable terms, considering the tight state ot the money market at the time. ihc 1111forsoen resignation of Sir James Pergusson, and Sir Julius Vogel’s own detention by illness have been the cause of the Colony being for some time without a. regular head to the Cabinet, and it was simply to overcome tins diilicuhy that the Vogel Ministry resigned their offices, and were at once, with the exception of Sir Julius, ro-sworn with Dr Pollen as Premier. We think a mistake has been made in selecting a member of the Upper House as head of the Government, as such a course has not hitherto been found to work well, notably in the case of the TV aterhouse Ministry. The real battle field is in the Lower Chamber, and it is there the head of the Government party should be, so that he might direct and control the actions of his supporters. A very general impression exists that Sir Donald McLean should have taken the reins of Government, as lie is, after Sir Julius, allowed to be the cleverest statesman of the parly, and the one best fitted to lead. Practically, he will .bo the leader as ho will take the command in the House of Representatives, and shape the policy of the Government. It is not the intention of the present Cabinet to make the Session either a long or a stormy one, but once launched on the stormy sea of debate there is no saying what stress of political weather the Government bark may meet with, or whether it will even get sale into Unit harbour of refug-, yclept the recess. Many believe that the tactics of the opposition will he to first lud the Government into a sense of security, and then

win'll the iN.'s si on is drawing to its clos \ to work its dowiiiV.il by a clover “ coup d'etat,” and send ministers to the country beaten. There can he no doubt but Hint the Government armour is in ninny places pitiably weak, and easily pierced by a few wdi-diroctod shafts from such skilful hands ns the bon. member for Timaru, under whoso leadership the Opposition will fje-lit. The Public Works and Immigration blunders will provide the basis of attack, and any one who has had much experience of the way the loan is b. ing frittered away, will speedily recognise how suitable a handle it will form for the - sworn of Damocles, now hanging ov.t the devoted heads of those in oiliee. The one bright spot in the government policy is the* administration of Native a (lairs by Sir Donald McLean, who has boon the prop of the party ev >r sine? Mr F»>x’s accession to office at tin* close of the late war. When Mr Stafford, for a lew short weeks, succeeded in deposing the Government from office, iii consequence of the way they w<erc wasting money mi the Public Works and Immigration portion of their policy, it was speedily seen that Mr McLean was the “ dens ex machine” of the Colony, and that his services must at ail hazards ho secured if the Native dihienUy was to he kept under. The country did not view favourably Mr Stafford's ability too deal with Native affairs, and Mr Vogel boldly pushed a vote of want of confidence to a successful issue a few days after the Stafford (.biveniiimnt had been sworn m. The reason why Sir Donald had been more successful than any of ins predecessors in preserving the pence of the Colony is so plain as io require no lengthy explanation from ns, and lies] it imt been lor lie* extravagant bribes scattered broadcast amongst the dark-skinned people, the lavish expenditure, and the creation of innumerable ol’iices, the same discontent would no donut exist amongst them. There is no reason to suppose that Mr Stafford would be any wiser tomorrow, if in office, them he has hitherto been, as regards Native atlairs. It is, (he re fore, more for the interests of tins island, at nil events, that lie should fail to oust the present Government. There can be no two opinions as to the bad effect accruing from such a state oi affairs., as it keeps a party in oi’lice which, while preserving the peace of the Colony, is at the same time, sadly mismanaging its commercial a Hairs. Oar railways are a finger point for scorn, ami l!i -ir management the theme of universal complaint. It Toney is wasted, on costly experiments, while a ruinous system of economy is pursued in other matters. To give an example, a lot o! trucks of a novel and utterly unworkable pal tern are built at a heavy cost, which will hj ‘ condemned the moment they are tried, while on the other hand a competent man is discharged because he refuses to accept a wage lower than that earned by a bricklayer’s labourer. When he lias gone it turns out that it takes some four or live of the underpaid men whom it is Mr Passmore’s good pleasure to fancy lit to conduct-, the business of arailway terminus to do the work hitherto performed by the man who know the value of Ids services, and who had independence enough to refuse policeman’s wages* The country bnstlcs with blunders in both the construction and management of its railways; can it he wondered at then, if the opposition seize upon the opportunity and endeavour to oust a Government from office against which so many charges of inconi potency can be adduced ? The immigration portion of its duties arc also open to censure, and the present quarrel between its Agent General and the late Premier and other members of the Government, will go far to damage the success of the scheme. With so much to answer for, tlic Government had need draw its forces closely together, and prepare lor a struggle for existence. The question of abolishing the Provinces will possibly be their shield, as the opposition will split on that rock, owing to Mr Stafford’s decided views on the subject being opposed to those of Sir- G. Grey, and Messrs Fitzhcrbert, llolicstou, Macandrew, Bunny, and others. We should he sorry to sec the Opposition in office, but we trust the Government will be made aware of its shortcomings, and taught- the necessity for better management of the affairs of the colony.