Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1872. "MEASURES NOT MEN."

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 241, 12 September 1872, Page 7

Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1872. "MEASURES NOT MEN."

a Jong apd squally — it canjiot be called stormy — debate, the Yogel Government has, been defeated. The defeat was an honorable one, .ami it was accepted in an jhonorable spirit. We have always been opposed to the Government of which Mr. Yogel was really, though not nominally, the chief. We have -considered it our duty to denounce the questionable manner in which it conducted public affairs — its attempts to acclimatise American political corruption in New Zealand — its .encouragement of " logrolling," and reward of political .support by fat sinecures. But we also accorded its leader credit for inaugurating what is now popularly known as the Public Works and Immigration Policy, and great administrative diplomatic ability. We sympathise with the late Ministry in its defeat, but do not regret its fail. The issues on which the division was taken, were not to our mind those on which the Government should have been ejected from office, yet we are gratified with the result. The decision of the majority of the House of Representatives is tantamount to a declaration that the purity of the Legislature shall be maintained; that any attempt to corrupt its members shall be visited with condign punishment upon those who make such attempts ; and that the money raised for the construction of Public Works and the introduction of immigrants, shall be distributed equitably throughout the colony. These points were not expressly stated in Mr. Stafford's x-esolufcions j but from jkhe speeches delivered by lion, members in support of them, we infer that such was the intention of ih# forty who voted against the government. We consider the fpfcra-provincial party responsible for many of the sins of the Yogel Government; but a Government that cannot exist without bribing that, or any other party, is not competent to rule New Zealand. Such a Government may, perhaps, command a majority in the House, but it will not possess the confidence of the people. The constitution of the new Government we do not consider satisfactory, nor do we think it promises lengthy retention of office. Three Superintendents, viz., Mr. Gillies, of Auckland ; Mr Curtis, of Nelson, and Mr. Fitzherbert, of Wellinginton — are included. When it is recollected that one of the charges against the late Government was that the Superintendent of Hawkes Bay (Mr. Ormond) held a portfolio, the fact of the new Ministry containing three similar officers must be a source of weakness to it. Perhaps, however, the gentlemen named will resign their Superintendences* In that case there can be no personal objection against them, as they are men of undoubted ability and honor. Another provincial officer, designated as one of the Executive, is Mr. Donald Reid. Should this gentleman take office, he will, of course, be compelled to give /up his membership of the Provincial Executive and Council. The;two remaining Ministers, viz., Messrs. Stafford and Waterhouse, are, worth all the rest put together. Mr. Stafford as an opponent of Provincialism, acquired a popularity which few, we may say, no public man in the colony ever enjoyed. For spine time past, he has not stood so well in public estimation ; but if as Premier, he carries into effect the views he has often expressed, he will redeem the reputation he has lost, and win fresh laurels. Mr. Waterhouse — a member of the Legislative Council — has during hie residence in New Zealand, won golden opinions. There can be no doubt that he is one of the ablest . public men in the colony, and many Rppe thai he will take a more promijm£'potrig &c government ,6f

the country than he has hitherto done. The strength of the Ministry lies in Messrs! Stafford and Waterhouse ; its weakness in the remaining members. The former are centralists — the latter ultra-pirovin-cialists. Irrespective of outward pressure, we cannot see how they can hold together. If they do, it will be a case of the lion lying down with the lamb.

[Since the above was in type, we learn that Mr. Waterhouse has declined to take office, and that Mr. Sewe.ll will represent the Government in the Legislative Council.]