The Southland Times. FRIDAY, MARCS 14, 1873.

Southland Times, Issue 1714, 14 March 1873, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, MARCS 14, 1873.

There are some people of whom it may be said that they are too good for this world. No student of recent history would be likely to look for illustrations of this apothegm among the politicians of New Zealand. Yet — contraria contrariis — the curious enquirer who should be enterprising enough to do so would not be disappointed. The Honorable Mr Watebhot/se furnishes the rare example. Solicited by Mr Staffobd to take office in the administration which he was engaged in forming, Mr Waterhouse entered into protracted negotiations with that gentleman, to whom he had previously promised his support in the event of his unseating the Fox-Vogel Ministry. As the negotiations proceeded, however, Mr Waterhoxjse discovered that while Mr Stafiobd continued a member of the Ministry, the foremost place would by no means be given to the oniy man, who, in his opinion, was qualified to take the helm in these eventful times. This, Mr Wateihouse felt was the role, specially destined for himself, but Mr Staffobd was of a different opinion. The situation was grave, and demanded self-sacrifice on the park of one or of the other. Mr Staffobd giving no sign that he understood the exigencies of the case, Mr Waterhouse felt it his duty to throw himself into the breach, and rather than see Jiia newly adopted country handed over'to the tender mercies of an incapable Administration, he resolved to face the obloquy of deserting his friends in their hour of need, on purely patriotic grounds. It need hardly be said, at least to those who know how ungenerous average human nature, especially disappointed human nature, is apt to be, that this exhibition of self sacrifice, on high patriotic grounds, was by no means appreciated by Mr Staffobd and hi» friends. Some of them, it is said, were even base enough to attribute Mr Watebhottse's conduct to wounded vanity and self-love, instead of to the lofty patriotism which he himself baa told us is the spring and guiding principle of all his public actions. This, however, as we have said, was no more than might have been expected. Mr Watebhouse felt it necessary to say in his place in the Legislative Council, a few days after his rupture with Mr Staffobd, that nothing would induce him to assumethe leadership of any party in New Zealand politics. He doubtless felt it necessary to make this explicit declaration, to clear himself from any trammels of party connection which might still be supposed to hang about i:im in consequence of his recent relations with Mr Staffobd and his friends, and which might impede his future usefulness as a public man. In doing so, Mr Watebhottse could not but be aware ot the risk he ran of having his motives misconstrued. People might say, indeed people did say, that this fresh manifesto on his part was simply an adroit method of hoisting the auctioneer's flag over the valuable property once more, with the motto, " For sale to the highest bidder." But people will be uncharitable, and when one has made up bis mind to serve his country, it will not do to listen to all the uncharitable remarks, that are made. So Mr Watebuouse proceeded on the even tenor of hie way, until a fresh opportunity for self sacrifice arose. It was not long in coming. This time it assumed the form of an offer of the Premiership from Mr Yogel, the leading spirit of the party for whose defeat he had, not long before, allied himself with Mr Staffobd. The temptation to evade his duty to his country was certainly a cruel one, and it may be conceived that nothing short, of the, most exalted patriotism would have sufficed to carry

Mr Waterhottse through it. The Fox-Vogel Ministry, as he had told Mr Stafford, deserved to be turned out. The Staffoed Ministry, unless they had a Premier in whom Mr Waterhotjse could put unlimited confidence — and there was but one man who fulfilled that condition — deserved not only to be turned out, but to be deserted by their friends in the heat of the battle ; the welfare of the country being always the first consideration, whatever people might say. But what possibilities of good might not lie in the combination now for the first time rendered possible, a Watebhotjse Vooel Ministry, with Mr Watbrhouse as Premier? It is true the combination could not be effected without unpleasant remarks being made. But what of that, when duty once more demanded the sacrifice ? So the sacrifice was made ; not the first, and, aa it proved, not the last in this moving history of a modern Ctjrtius, prepared to leap iato the gulf, not once for all, as Cttrtius did, and never had the opportunity of doing again, but aa often as it may happen that the gulf shall discharge him. Jonah like, on the dry land, and open again for his reception. Now we come to the closing scene of this strange drama, and it may be presumed, of Mr "Watehhouse's career aa a prominent politician in New Zealand. As, it may readily be imagined, QuiffTya CufiTius found the state of matters in the gulf less satisfactory than in his patriotic enthusiasm he bad anticipated, bo it seems to have been with Mr Waterhottse. He had shown his disinterestedness by a courageous disregard of the conventionalities supposed to repreeent honorable dealing alike w.th friend and foe, which guide the conduct of most English politicians of any standing. He had further proved his sincerity by refusing to accept the salary usually attached to his office. In his opening manifesto as Premier, he had announced, to an astonished audience, " that no consideration would ever induce him to do what he believed to be wrong!" Tet with all these good intentions, and conBpicuous abnegation of self, things did not turn out satisfactorily. The good results expected from the Wa.texhoitseYogel regime may hive been alow of fruition. < )r, as some profanely surmise, the Hon John Hall, on the eve of his departure, may have been les9 reticent of State secrets than before. However it came about, the idea seems suddenly to have penetrated the brain of the Hon. Mr Watehhotjse that the Ministry in which he was "assisting," to use an expressive Gallicism, was, after all, a Vogel- Waterhotxse, and not a Waterhouse- Yogel arrangement. It was clear enough that New Zealand could get no good from such a combination aa that ; so Mr Waterhottse resolved on another, and it is to be hoped, a final sacrifice, of himself. Mr Hall had resigned. Mr Yogel and Mr Keyfolds were in Sydney. The Governor was leading. The session of Assembly was not far distant. A more inopportune moment for the i\ sifination of the Premier and the reconstruction of the Ministry could scarcely be conceived. No ranter. Mr Waterttouse's sense of duty, which had already proved equal to so much, was equal to this also. Nothing would move him from his determination. His colleagues addressed to him a letter, completely disposing of all his objections ; but to no avail. The situation, Mr Waterhoitse discovered, had become " abhorrent to his feelings." So this unappreciated patriot's selfsacrifice had to be consummated onca more, on what altar, this time, we shall not pretend to say. In the meantime Mr Fox, at His Excellency's request, quietly steps in and assumes the abandoned reins, until Mr Yogel comes back, or Parliament assembles. This narrative, we think, may conclude with the remark that the late Premier, if not too good for this world, is at least too good for the ordinary world of New Zealand politics, and that the Colony will feel a decided relief in getting rid, once for all, of Mr Waterhottse and his feelings.