POLITICAL GENEEAL.

Southland Times, Issue 1105, 6 August 1869, Page 4

POLITICAL GENEEAL.

The proceedings in the Assembly have assumed a character for deliberation and thought in advance of what has been previously displayed. The leaders of all parties are giving evidence of a desire to apply themselves more calmly to the consideration of the nature of the constitutional changes required. The defeat of the Stapfobd Ministry was no doubt the result of antagonism to the men rather than to the policy they had • attempted to carry out. Mr Fox has in I fact adopted their programme with but very slight alterations, and every turn of the government wheel shows another card with Stafford's stamp, somewhat mutilated it may be, but still Stafford's. The new Ministry do not, they tell us, intend to disturb existing Provincial institutions, but that more loans for war purposes are necessary to be obtained, and under any circumstance $ the colony must be responsible for them ; but if possible they should be made charges upon the North Island ; —they will not in fact initate any constitutional reform's although they confess gfeat changes must ultimately be made. Mr Stafford to our mind has acted wisely in quietly giving assistance to his successors rather than offering violent opposition. As far as the native policy is concerned the new Ministry are somewhat in a fog. Thejr evidently recognise the fact that the cost of an aggressive war Cannot be much longer endured, but they have failed to show how it can be avoided ; they have promised great reduction in war expenditure, but they have not even shadowed forth a system whereby they can redeem the pledges given. It is true they advocate seeking Imperial assistance, but have no definite idea how that assistance is to be obtained. The native question, it is satisfactory to find, has not, as on previous occasions absorbed the whole attentidn of the Assembly. The reconstruction of the constitution has been sufficiently discussed to prove that all parties have realised the fact that the question of Union or Separation must be at c determined ; and from the debates we may conclude that an appeal, to the country will be made upon this point at no distant date. This appears the end .for ivhich Mr S*aitobi> and other leading statesmen are working. The Provincialist ranks are gradually becoming deserted, and the Sepwationists have apparently no organisation. The resolutions of Mr Steveits, Mr Rolleston, and Mr Tancbed, though all differing as to the mode to be adopted, sought to secure for every section of the colony ft fair distribution of the revenue, and equal local self - government —to make the war expenditure a local rather than a colonial charge — and all were based on the principle of Union. In fact Centralism, in some shape or form, all appear to acknowledge, must be recognised, and anxiety is manifested to produce a system by which it may meet with public favor, as being workable and satisfactory to all parties. The Ministry and the leaders of the Opposition are agreed bit one point, viz . — that no organic change should be made until distinct issues have been placed before the country, and the voice of the people taken upon them. The Ballot Bill having passed the Council and become law, and a redistribution of representation, promised previous to a general election — which under any circumstances will take place after next session — it is the duty of the people to watch carefully the events of the session, in order to act wisely when, the time comes for them to decide the great question of constitutional reform. In the meantime it is difficult to forecast the character of the issues which may be brought forward ; these may be more serious than is yet contemplated. The ungenerous treatment the colonists are receiving from the Imperial Government is leading many of the moat thoughtful minds to enquire, and that seriously, what advantage is our connexion with the mother country, it in our difficulty, when we ask for aid, we are answered with sarcastic pity and arrogant reproach? and it is suggested that independence maybe* come one of the subjects for discussion upon the assembling of a new parliament.