THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1879.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3380, 22 October 1879, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1879.

Thb Government hire again been

beaten on a motion for adjournment,

proposed by a member of the Cabinet, and this time by a majority of six votes. We must admit to a feeling of weariness at the continual repitition of the debate, which is in reality on the no-confidence motion, though brought up by a motion for adjournment. The Government persistently refuse to accept such an adverse vote as an indication of their true position—that is being in a minority, and by taking advantage of the forms of the House from day to day put off a division on the motion of want of confidence. The Opposition, on the other hand, secure with their majority, are just as determined to force the Ministry to accept a vote upon Mr Macaudrew's motion, and for that purpose are obstructing the busi-

ness of the country. We regret that our legislators have to descend to such a line of couduct, which is neither creditable to themselves; nor just to the best interests of the colony. We cannot support the course taken by the Government, and fail

to see, except for tho mutter of personal gratification, why, undor tlu> prcßont circumstances, they insist upon rotainiug their seats. It must be remembered that one vote placed them on tho Government benches, and now they must sidrnit that a majority of six rotes are against them; even tho native member of the Cabinet having deserted them, and for very fair reasons. The threat of a dissolution used by Major Atkinson we beliero to be an empty one, and only made with the object of intimidating young members of the House. We cannot see hovr tho Governor, assuming that he has a leaning towards tho Hall Ministry, could grant a dissolution. There is no question of policy at stake, uo question .of mal-administration, nor' are parties so evenly divided that neither can obtaina working majority—if the division of last night is to be taken as a criterion ; and, therefore, what reasonable grounds could Sir Hercules Robinson have for iaflicting upon the electors of the colony the turmoil, trouble and expense of a general election ? Should, however, the Electoral Bill be passed in the shape brought down by the' Government, and, as under its provisions, a large majority of persons at present disfranchised will be qualified to vote, that fact may form a sufficient pretext for a fresh appeal to the country. To prevent such aa opportunity being given to the Government the Opposition are determined to refuse supplies, without which, of course, tho administration cannot long bo carried on. This circumstance alone must soon bring matters to a crisis, and will be tound to be tue strongest lever in removing the present occupants of the Government benches from • the seats they are so violently struggling to retain. We can scarcely compliment either party upon their display of common sense, and cannot reconcile the greed for office with the repeated declarations made—that all is done pro amor patrice.