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Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3939, 13 August 1881, Page 2

In another column will be found the debate upon the second reading of the Redistribution of Seats Bill. We are not at all surprised at the feeling of dissatisfaction expressed by the members who have yet spoken. The speakers were several of the strongest supporters of the Government, yet denounced the measure in "round set terms." The feeling already expressed may be taken as an indication of that generally pervading the House, and if so, there is little prospect of the Bill becoming law this session. Mr Sheelian was most outspoken in his denunciation of the bill, and in the expression of his personal opinion of Sir George Grey. The more, however, we here of Sir Wm, Fox, the less opinion we have of the mdi vidual, his antipathy to Sir George Grey, Mr Sheehan, and a few others is so great that he cannot now speak on any subject without introducing personalities. Whatever reputation Sir

William Fox ever possessed as a statesman is fast fading away, and if he persists in his present course there will be nothing else for his friends to do, but to transplant him to the refuge of the imbeciles, the Legislative Council. Mr Collins put the matter very plainly, and showed the injustice to the North. Island, when he said the bill would act most unfairly to those portions of the colony which had not kept pace with other parts, because they had not had a fair share of the expenditure of the borrowed money, and for which they were yet equally liable. It was like punishing them for their misfortunes, by depriving them of fair representation. Mr Hurst was also pertinent in his remarks, that the injustice now being attempted would not end there, but would lead to greater injustice in the future allocation of borrowed money. The fact is just possible that the Government will have to accept a dissolution of Parliament without being able to pass a single measure of any importance during their two years' tenure of office. The verdict of the country will probably be that the Hall Ministry were good departmental managers or secretaries, but were devoid of all knowledge of statesmanship or legislative ability.