NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Southland Times, Issue 676, 29 May 1867, Page 3

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

THE MINISTERIAL CHANGES. The duke of Buckingham has been appointed to the Colonial Office in place of Lord Carnarvon ; Sir John Pakinton succeeds General Peel at the "War Office, and is replaced at the Admiralty by Mr Corry, whose practical acquaintance with naval administration well qualifies him for the post ; Sir Stafford Northcote goes from the Board of Trade to the India Office ; and Mr Cave is promoted to the Presidency of the Board of Trade, his late office of vice being abolished by the bill passing through Parliament. The Duke of Marlborough also takes a responsibleposition in the government, by removing from the Eoyal household to the Presidency of the Council, as successor to the Duke of Buckingham. These Ministerial changes have excited little attention, however, compared with the policy they reflect. The re-organised Cabinet is generally regarded as a mere transitory arrangement. The whole drift of events for the past month or two points ton not distant return ot tne Liberals to power, and to a subsequent dissolution as the alternative of a substantial and acceptable Eeform Bill. In that case, it is believed that Mr Gladstone will become Prime Minister, Earl .Russell's recent obstructiveness and petulant ill-humour having discredited him completely with the Liberal party. He has made two speeches in the Lords which have grieved his best friends *md alienated most of his supporters.' In spite of reform impediments and Ministerial discords, the work of useful legislation: has been diligently pressed forward. The bill Tor the coniederation of the British State 3of North America has passed, both Houses and received the Eoyal assent. Mr Hardy's Metropolitan Poor Bill has got through committee without substantial alteration ; the efforts to increase the charges upon the common fund, and to withhold the power given to the Poor-law Board to place a certain number of nominiees on boards of guardians, having been defeated. Mr Coleridge's bill for the removal of tests in Oxford University has passed its second reading unopposed, and the committee is appointed for April 10. Mr Hadfield's measure to facilitate the procuring of land for. sites by religious, charitable, and scientific institutions, without incurring heavy expenses under the Mortmain Act, is also in a. fair way of becoming law. Mr Fawcett, in place of Mr Bouverie, has brought in the oft-rejected measure for enabling colleges to elect fellows without reference, to there. - eccesiastical sediments.