The Patea Mail. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1876.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 77, 8 January 1876, Page 2

The Patea Mail. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1876.

TTi!•; elections, so far, have been, fo a certain extent, a series of surprises, and, though the Government will certainly have a commanding majority to carry tin' Abolition scheme thoroughly out with, there will he found serious elements of trouble amongst even their own supporters. Fveii the abolitionists haw not won the decisive victories that, were expected, and some uncompromising provineialists have come to the surface in several constituencies. Auckland lias Sir George Grey, Messrs Swanson. Dignan.and Rees. The Avon, in Canterbury, has been faithful to its former love. Mr Rolleston, the present Superintendent of the province, and one bitterly opposed to Centralism. Mr Macandrew, of Otago, and Air Stout, from the same province, the latest risen Provincial star, have secured seats for Dunedin, whilst Mr Larnaeh, a new member who took third honors, and will occupy Hie third seat for that uty, is said to bo only a half-hearted abolitionist at best, even if he does not follow in the wake of his more experienced colleague, the Superintendent. Mr Rcynol is, Commissioner of Customs, met with signal defeat in Dunedin, though it is probable (hat he will obtain seat tor Port Chalmers. The other Ministers have managed to secure re-election, at the first time of asking, hut it has been with some trouble at any rate, and though Sir Julius Vogel is said to be likely to be returned for the two constituencies, the Thames and Wanganui, defeat was not improbable at either or both, and the fate of those who sit on two stools might have been his. The archprovincialist of the day, at least next to Sir George Grey, Air Fitzherhert, has won a. hollow election at the Hntt, against the lately elected Mayor of Wellington, Air Hutchison, whilst at Caversham, Invercargill, and Tnapeka, provineialists have been successful. The list of that party is probably now dosed, hut they will be numerous enough to he troublesome, whilst the Ministerial party on many points of detail, especially with reference to the powers of local selfgovernment after abolition, will be found very divided in opinion, and it will be a difficult task to reconcile the conflicting elements. Perhaps the presence of Sir Julius may effect the desired end, hut even his persuasive powers will be tested to the utmost to effect anything like harmonious fusion. Taking all the •ifTirroundiug circumstances into consideration, it is hardly likely that the Government, as at present constituted, will preserve its integrity through the threatened storms of the next session. That without the invaluable aid of Sir Julius Vogel, it could do so would he impossible, and that astute individual will probably find it imperative, for his own safety, to throw' overboard some of the present Ministerial erew, and ship fresh hands in the bark of which lie will resume command. It is hardly likely (lint Mr Stafford, and others of similar calibre, will he content to ho excluded for ever from a leading part in the governance of the colony, under its new •aspect and changed conditions. For years past that gentleman and his following have sought to achieve the destruction ot the Provincial structure,

now toppling to its lal!, and it is only, reasonable To-suppose that Sir J. Vogel will hut too gladly seize the first opportunity to ally so stalwart a champion to himself. Last session one groat compromise was effected, it would not he surprising if events compel many such, when Parliament next meets. There is certainly great danger looming to the Ministerial fry, and he would he a hold man who would wager much on afiy of the members, now in the colony, holding office for another twelve months. That the. Ministry will have to he largely strengthened is undoubted, to survive the as mulls likely to be made on it, and that can only be done by incorporating the leading elements of the Assembly, and hlandingThem judiciously so as to secure the needed power. That this will be Sir d. Vogel's first aim there is little doubt, and in making new alliances some of his present colleagues must necessarily drop out. Taking it altogether, the condition of political affairs in X; w Zealand is, to say the lease of it, critical, and it will require a firm hand and strong will to bring successfully to fruition the reforms of last session, and to weather the financial dangers (hat threaten. A j cloud no bigger than a man’s hand was once the portent of a great storm, there are numberless little clouds dotting the colonial horizon now, let ns hope tffat they may break as harmlessly and beneficially over New Zealand, as the one referred to in Scripture did ages ago over the arid plains of Palestine. That a financial crisis will before long occur, there smaiis too great reason to tear—one that, will test the rapacity of those in power to (he utmost, and require the closest and most earnest attention, on the part of (he best statesmen in New Zealand