Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELD REPORTER & ADVERTISER. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1872. " MEASURES, NOT MEN."

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 256, 26 December 1872, Page 7

Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELD REPORTER & ADVERTISER. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1872. " MEASURES, NOT MEN."

The acceptance of office by Mr. Bastings in the Tolitiie-Turnbiill-liilxeoutive, has excited, in various parts of the province, a good deal of comment, both favourable and unfavourable.,, Some are inclined to think that he has deserted* the painty he has worked with so long, ftifd gone over to the enemy for the aake o/otfiee; others are of opinion that, like a second Ourtius he "llas~j urapetl mjp the breach7~antr Sdctiiieed his* political convictions and prospgetjs tor., fche sake of the province. Vi^e are not inclined to take eithei«of these views. In the tiLbt place, Mr. , Baitings could .scarcely, since last session, although holding .somewhat similar views, be considered a follower of Mr. Keid — indeed* -on .several occasions his words aud 'actions showed that his quondam leader had fallen greatly in his estimation, and thafr he had j become, if trot an active opponent, at least very far from a friend.

TVs (X lanation nlso sufficiently disposes of the heroic part of the b i. i net s. However, it seems pretty clear thcitMr.Bcisfcings, in taking office, was actuated by a sense of,, duty? • The Reid party banded n'rmJy«togethei' to thwart any endeavours To form a ►Ministry. For the sake of the selfish personal ambitiou of their leader, they were content to see thte whole machinery of the Government disorganised; to gratify his vindictive feelings towards his Honor the Superintendent, they were prepared to forca on a political dead- lock, which would paralyse all departments of the public service, and bring the public business of the province to a standstill. But fortunately for the province, they DV€Hfreached themselves. The utter ftel&ihness of the end they had m view rendered itself painfully apparent t& several members of the Provincial Council, and these gentlemen pressed Mr. Bastings to bring the cris^to a termination by joining tha Tolmie-Turatyill Executive. Mr. Bastings, after *fb«ture consideration, accedea fo *tl|eir wishes, •md took the porfcfolicfof Secretary for Public Works and Goidfa'elds. The acceptance of offiVe by Mr. Bastings, -tbieshadow^ the formation of a new party — a party holding ecfually liberal views without the crotuhete of those fighting under the standard of M-l'Reid, but not blindly devoted to t^at gentleman, nor working to saoa^ce the interests of the province for; his personal aggrandisement. Theparty will be the " moderate libera^"a.no!Mll take the place of the present liberal party, with the rabid element eliminatfecl. Th© mad howls of disappointedtfage^from the organs of the Reid rlhrty are "thus accounted for.

Mr. Bastings has certainly done a bold thjog in accepting pffice with

squatting,* colleagues. But is it not better that there should be one liberal member in the executive than that it should be composed entirely of squatters ? Was it not better that the people should have one representative than be unrepresented altogether ? There can be but one answer to these questions. As Secretary for the Goldtields and Public Works, Mr. Bastings has the power of doing a great deal towards benefiting the country, and has already given an earnest of what he intends to accomplish. Things that for years remained undone have since his short time of office been done without apparent trouble. If the whole of his term of office is marked by the same aqtivity and energy as has been displayed in its commencement he will have deserved well of the people of the province. We do not wish to be understood as justifying Mr. Macandrew's conduct toward Mr. Reid in the least degree, nor do we intend to become the advocate of a squatting government; but we do strongly object that the personal quarrels of two men should cause the province to suffer, and of two evils we believe in choosing the least. Mr. Bastings has mitigated the lesser evil, and under the peculiar circumstances of the case, is entitled to public gratitude for the action he has taken.