THE VICTORIAN CRISIS.

Southland Times, Issue 927, 3 April 1868, Page 3

THE VICTORIAN CRISIS.

Victoria is again convulsed "by an unexpected ministerial crisis. The M'Culloch Ministry, after appealing to the country upon the question of the Dabling grant, and having received the almost unanimous endorsement of the people to the policy they adopted — a policy that, up to the present time, met with no opposition from His Excellency the Governor, Sib Henbt Maottebs Stjtton, has, from the attitude assumed by that gentleman after receiving despatches from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, deemed it a duty to resign. The point upon which the Ministry have gone out is not whether the £20,000 grant be made or not, but whether it is constitutional or legal to " tack " a separate bill to the Appropriation Act, in

j order to compel the Council to pass it The Imperial Government have, it appears, intimated to the Governor that it is his duty to oppose the " tacking " system, and he, according to orders, has refused to endorse the programme of the M'Culloch Ministry, which, included the introducing of the Appropriation Act in its former shape. Upon this being intimated the resignation of Mr M'Culioch and his colleagues were rendered. Mr Peliows was sent for, and has undertaken to attempt to form an Executive strong enough to enable him to carry on the business of the country. It is generally considered to be a hopeless task, the avowed supporters of the " tacking " policy being about three to one of the members elected at the recent elections Still it is possible that something may be done to terminate the " dead lock " that has so long existed. ' Many of the members of the .Upper House who have consistently maintained the course pursued by the M'Cui/loch Ministry to be unconstitutional have expressed a willingness to pass both the Appropriation Act and the Dabling grant if presented as separate bills. The opposition or constitutional party, although weaker m numbers then they were last session, are stronger in talent and prestige than it has been during the last two years. It is not improbable that a new Ministry sufficiently powerful to proceed with the business of the session may be formed. The politicians and the people are tired of the discussions and bickerings between the two Houses of Parliament, and should a Cabinet be formed, including the names of Fellows, O'Shawassy, McMahon, Askcnall, and Langton, and their programme prove liberal, guaranteeing the passing by the Council of the Darling grant, a number of the pledged adherents to the outgoing Ministry may give their temporary support. "We say temporary, for those we have mentioned as the com ing men are free-traders of the ultra class, and it can scarcely be expected that they will be long in office without introducing alterations in the tariff that will send back to their old love all the protectionists. Again, the constitution of the Legislative Council must be reformed, and any Ministry that will not undertake to do this cannot stand. It is universally acknowledged that the two Houses of Parliament, as at present constituted, will never work in unison, and it is to be hoped that if an Opposition Ministry is formed, the Council will do what it has long since asserted it desired to do voluntary, but not by coercion, viz: — reform and liberalise the Upper House. The crisis, however, is not yet over. It depends greatly upon the forbearance or decision of the retiring Ministry as to the question of Imperial interference in matters purely colonial. Should Mr M'Coxloch and his party determinedly maintain the ground they have taken up, no compromise can be come to ; it must lead to a revolution, to the ignoring the Council altogether, and denouncing Imperial interference in local matters in those colonies possessing responsible governments. The coming session of the Victorian Parliament will be one of deep interest to all who seek. to gain an insight into the working of Colonial Parliaments. In the discussions that will arise as to the changes in the Upper House, the nominee system of New Zealand, the semi-nominee system of New South "Wales, and the elective or democratic constitutions of Victoria and South Australia will be freely and thoroughly ventilated, and the right of the Imperial Government to interfere in colonial legislation defined.