The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 1884.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4813, 12 June 1884, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 1884.

The information that the Ministry had been defeated on the motion of " want ofconfidence" presented to Parliament by the Gorernment whip, Major Steward, did not surprise many who hare watched the course of events daring last session, and the space intervening from then to the present time. For months past, the result of the straggle just ended, has bee almost a foregone conclusion, and the promptness with which the situation was accepted by the Opposition, when challenged, shows that that body was not unprepared for the fray. The system of bounce adopted by the Premier has failed, as all such systems do—.more particularly in Parliament. The hon. Major Atkinson has travelled along a beaten track with a certain amount of bigh-handed author* ity, and now it seems not irrational that hi« over-bearing behaviour should receive a check. Ever since the departure of Sir John Hall—whose moderation was an element in the Cabinet, the Ministry has been almost daily growing weaker; and when Sir Frederick Whitaker left its ranks, it was as forlorn as a cavalry brigade without a leader. The Premier seems to have estimated his followers from the same point of view that he would have taken had be been the officer in the field, where he first learnt to bring men under control; but he has been wofully mistaken in this instance, appearing to be unable to discriminate between main strength and intelligence, and evidently relying on a firm and undying belief in his own power over his party. Since the departure of the two knights, things—politically speakingseem to have gone down-hill very fast, and the apparent want of a leader has apparently led to the direful—from a Ministerial point of view-—result which has ensued. Further developments will be awaited with interest. It would seem that a state of chaos reigns supreme now in the political camp, and amongst the people there is some little excitement shown. Anticipating a dissolution several intending candidates are girding up their loins, and trying to feel that their souls are in arms, and eager for the fray. This excitement is contagious, and doubtless the disease has, or will, spread amongst us. In the event of such a consummation, the people should throw off any senti* mental feeling from a national point of view, and endeavor to become matter-of-fact, if only for once in their lives. Let them consider their own case first, and then, if they have leisure, " go in for " the colonial interest. The old adage about every one sweeping in front of his own door to keep a clean street is one very applicable to our case, and should an opportunity offer in the way of an election arising from a dissolution, we would urge upon the people to, in the first place, see to their qualification as to enrolment as electors; and, in the next, to look to their own interests before plunging into questions of supposed general moment. There has been too much humbug, and generally useless, hyperbole thrown at the electors in times past, and now, seeing that no general benefit has arisen from the efforts put forth by would-be deliverers, who have used the people up for their own ends as long as they were able to do so, we would suggest that, should the opportunity be granted them, the Thames electors should show by their actions whose disciples they are, and the head of their platform should be themselves. Let them elect a man whose interests lie in the place, who has some stake in it, and who will pledge himself to see justice done to us, irrespective of the more important colonial questions of the day.