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Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3371, 11 October 1879, Page 2

Pbiob to the commencement of this session it was foretold that " men not measures" woulflf be the watchword of the primary struggles of the Parliament: and such has ben the case. Already one Ministi'y has been over-turned without the introduction of a single measure of importance, and already their successors, almost before they have taken their seats on the Treasury Benches are threatened with defeat at the hands of their lately vanquished foes. Neither is it probable that we are yet at the begiuning of the end ; indeed, even after the defeat of the Hall Government, which will probably eventuate next week, there is every possibility of the rancourous struggle for office being entered on again. Atkinson, Hall, Rolleston and party having had a brief taste of the sweets of office, will not resign the strings of the colonial purse without a struggle, and, if defeated, the evenness of the two parties will allow them to carry on the struggle. At the accession of the Grey-Macandrew Ministry to office, the members of the present Government were so crestfallen that they did not dare immediately to seek a re-assumption of their '* continuous Government." They have lain fallow for a year or two, and now desire to bury the past iv oblivion, and again sway the destinies of the land. From present appearnces Mr Hall's Government is not likely to have an opportunity of developing a policy, for the Liberal party, accepting Mr Mucandrew as their leader, are determined to take the late Opposition at their word, and having re-constructed, to again occupy the Ministerial Benches. Mr Macandrew- has given notice of a Want of Confidence motion. The Government, with considerable finesse, tried to ignore this by turning the debate to the question of Triennial Parliaments, Mr Hall taking up Sir George Grey's BiU and kindly endeavoring to father it. But the flimsey design was seen through, and the Government were forced to a division on the question of adjournment, suffering a defeat by two votes —significant of what may be expected as the result of the No-confidence motion.