The Southland Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 1872.

Southland Times, Issue 1620, 16 August 1872, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 1872.

Since our last issue, further developments of the state of utter disintegration, we might almost say demoralisation, into which parties in the Assembly have fallen, have been made. The debate on Mr JiETNOLDfI's Insular Separation resolutions has been adjourned, for the second time, without eliciting any further information than that the Ministry are more than ever unwilling, or unable, to commit themselves to any definite line of policy until they have ascertained the feeling of the House. No Government can long ; thus shirk its duty with impunity, and if the Ministry find their position becoming daily more unpleasant, they have only themselves to thank for the fact. Prom the commencement of the session they have persistently declined to deal with every question of importance which has come before the House, and have not given the slightest indication of the manner in which they propose to carry on the business of the country. Encouraged by these signs of weakness, Mr Cuetis, on the part of the Provincial officials, for we do not believe that a Provincial Party, properly so-called, i exists in the .Legislature, has made an I •

attempt to wrest the control of the Public "Works and Immigration fund from their hands. The contest has been avoided for the present, but no one can say what may next be evolved out of the chaos. A direct want of confidence motion has been announced by Mr Stafford, the issue upon which will probably not be long postponed. Should the decision be adverse to the Ministry, their pusillanimous conduct up to the present time, as it has been the cause of the confusion which exists, will deprive them of the sympathy which might have been accorded them had they made a firm stand on a principle. No one believes that the Provincial officials will get what they are fighting for, but it is quite possible that the hands of those who desire insular separation may be materially strengthened by the events of the next few days.