The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1885. THE DISTURBING ELEMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1350, 2 July 1885, Page 2

The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1885. THE DISTURBING ELEMENT.

Sir George Grey has commenced the attack on the Stout-Vogel Ministry by a motion of want of confidence ia them, but, though we have read his utterances carefully, we fail to see that he gave any legitimate reason for doing so. He certainly alluded pointedly to their adoption of the Property Tax after having promised to abolish it; but when ihey attempted that last session Sir George Grey took cave to withdraw his support from them. If, then, they found themselves unable to control a majority of members which would incliuie Sir George Grey, there was nothing more natural than that they should resort to the policy which would command the support of the House without him. It is useless to discuss Sir George Grey's motives, or his actions. He professes to be the champion of the working men ; his delight is to excite their worst passions : yet, when an urgent appeal was sent from Ohrutchurch

to him last Tuesc&y to defer attacking the financial proposals of the Government until the result of a meeting of workingmen to be held there had been made known to him, lie quietly snubbed those who made the request and proceeded to move a " no-contidence " motion. But, if Sir George Grey's attack was pointless, that of the Hon. Mr Bryce was absurd. He said that he had no confidence in the present Administration, but the time had not yet arrived for ousting them from office. Really this is amusing. But, of course, Mr Bryce's utterances admitted of an explanation. He would willingly see the Ministry turned out, but not on Sir George Grey'b motion, because that would result in Sir George Grey being entrusted with the task of forming another Ministry. Because the power would thus fall into Sir George Grey's hands, the Atkinsonians will not support him : they want the management of that little affair in their own hands, and will wait until a favorable opportunity arrives. And by-and-by when the Atkinsonians take steps to oust the Ministry Kir George Grey will not forget that they did not support him, and will turn round and spoil their little game. It was exactly in this way he kept the Atkinson Ministry in office so long, and it appears to us extremely probable that the present Administration will also be able to retain their seats through his instrumentality. He has begun the three-cornered duel, and he will undoubtedly carry it on to the bitter end. He will not follow ; he must lead ; the AtkinHon'ans will not have him as a leader ; he will not coalesce with any party which is not willing altogether to how to his will; and thus he will always remain an embarrassing element to both parties. There can be no doubt but that in this way he has done a great deal of mischief, and he is likely to continue doing it. As regards the present Ministers we are not altogether sure but that they are as good as we can get. We have opposed them all along, uot because we found fault with what they did so much as with what they said. The absolute nonsense, and disgusting egotism of, Sir J alius Vogel, and the tricks which he played to retain power proved so nauseating as to go beyond toleration. Now, however, he has changed, he has given up boasting, and has laid down what we consider a fair policy. The present Government uphold a property tax ; their scheme of finance is protective in its tendency ; they have to a certain extent adopted our proposals for settling people on the land ; they are more or less favorable to cheap money for farmers—and ns these are subjects of vital importance, we think their removal from office just yet would be a calamity.

PROBABLE WAR. Fresh complications appear to have risen with regard to Russia, as will be Been

from the telegrams we publish this morning, The Russians have apparently been working all along, and are determined to force on the war. As they could not work up the "Grand Old Man" to fighting pitch they have resorted to the underhand method of creating a rebellion iu Afghanistan, which must, of course, involve England. They have not, however, the "Grand Old Man" to deal with now. The party in power now is not the one to bully the weak and eat humble pie from the strong and powerful. The Marquis of Salisbury and Lord Randolph Churchill, the two Ministers more directly connected with India and War, are just the men to take up the challenge quickly, and the probabilities are that they will, aud that we shall have war declared between the two nations before long.