The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1866.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 231, 21 March 1866, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1866.

The new Ministry is fairly in harness. Mr. Cttthbektson has succeeded in form, ing a team which, if we can judge from their first appearance, will work steadily and well together. The Ministerial statement made on Monday night may be deemed satisfactory, as far as it indicated the policy intended to be pursued, while it was unsatisfactory as regards the impecuniosity of the Provincial Exchequer. The outspoken and unequivocal expression of a determination to institute a thorough investigation into the affairs of the Province — public works and finance, past and present — must be gratifying to all parties. We are not among those who deem it right to censure G-overnment whenever circumstances arise to check the progress of a Colony or Province. There is a tendency, especially in New Zealand, to look too much to the operations and agency of Government for relief from public depression or for the attainment of future prosperity. At one time the population may be in excess of the demand, and then there isa greatclamourforthe G-overnment to provide work for the " unemployed ;" so long as the revenue keeps up the popular demand is for public works, regardless of expense, but the moment that the exchequer is impoverished, and business depressed, the cry of misgoveroment is loud and long. This peculiarity of the popular mind has been very marked of late in Southland. There can be no doubt the machinery of Government has not been worked with the skill and caution which could have been desired ; but that the insinuations of wilful mismanagement, favoritism, "peculation," which of late has been freely indulged in by a local print, we believe to be false, and injurious to the reputation of the Province. Still so strongly is a large number impregnated with the seed of mistrust and discontent, that a thorough investigation of the whole affairs of the Province has become not only desirable but a positive necessity. The new Ministry have a difficult task before them, and they have undertaken it at a time when, to be well performed, industry, caution, prompt action, and a firm assertion of right — especially with its dealings with the General G-overnment — is required. The known character of the gentlemen forming the Executive is a guarantee that they will faithfully redeem pledges they have given as far as the circumstances will permit. In order, however, to do this personal sacrifices must be made, and it would be folly to disguise the fact that had it been possible to have secured the services of other gentlemen, it would have been most desirable. It must be remembered that Mr. Cuthbertsois" is a country member, and it is unreasonable to suppose that, patriotic as he may be, that be can give his entire time to the affairs of the Province ; again Mr. Wood's presence will be required at the House of Eepresentatives during the very time when the Provincial Executive will have the most important work to perform. Therefore the constant attendance of only one Minister as adviser to His Honor can be calculated upon — Mr. Blacklock. We have every confidence in this gentleman's ability, knowledge of Provincial requirements, integrity, and business habits. He has earned the thanks of the community in uniting with Mr. Cuthbertsois" at this time, and the Ministry we doubt not will maintain the confidence which they now possess of both the Council and the people, and receive the support and assistance of the most able of those who it might have been expected would have been in opposition — who would have taken the Opposition benches had Mr. Cttthbertson been less judicious in the accomplishment of the delicate negotiations entrusted to him. It will be our desire to give a fair and impartial trial to the new men, supporting all measures which may appear of utility and condemning all that appear prejudicial to progress. A cry is being got up for a dissolution of the Council, upon the ground that Mr. Blackcock, a member of the old Government, is also a member of the new one. This plea is childish and absurd. The late G-o-vernment went out of ofiice upon one specific act — their general conduct was not brought into question — and that act was finished before Mr. Blacklock had any connection with the Government. Therefore it is folly-run-wild to argue that he was under the bane of a censure which disqualified him from office, We fully acknowledge the difficulty which must ever be experienced to construct a

Ministry of jive from a Council of twenty. Not that the talent is wanting, but that tbe majority are country members, who cannot give their time without a sacrifice of private interests of a magnitude which would be unjustifiable. This is one of the difficulties under which all new countries labor. There is an absence — and must necessarily be for very many years —of tbe class which abounds* in tbe old country. The Cttthbeetso-' cum Blacklock Ministry, we hope, will prove equal to tbe task tbey have undertaken.