THE STAFFORD MINISTRY.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 331, 22 August 1868, Page 6

THE STAFFORD MINISTRY.

The actual battle of the present session of the Assembly has been fought, and the Stafford Ministry, in spite of a most determined attack, led on by a veteran politician of high ability, have defeated their opponents in a most convincing manner. On Mr Fox's motion, as has previously been stated, fifty-nine members actually voted, twelve paired, four did not vote, and the speaker of course was precluded from doing so. Of the four who did not vote, three were native members, so in fact, leaving them out of the question, every member of the Assembly but one paired or voted. A more exhaustive trial of strength could not have been made, and it has resulted in victory waiting on the existing administration in such a manner, as to render their tenure of office perfectly secure, as far as present appearances go. To this result the "West Coast members of this island greatly contributed, all three of them, viz. ; Mr Gallagher, member for Westlandnorth ; Mr Barff, for "VVestland South ; and Mr Harrison, for the "Westland boroughs, voting on the Ministerial side. It is not likely that this will be overlooked, in any reasonable demand that the newly enfranchised districts may make, and we are confident that in acting as they have done, they have accurately represented the feeling of the public in their respective districts. It is proved now that the Government have a good working majority, and it follows that any measure they may bring forward, in accordance with the general policy elicited from them during the recent debate, will have every certainty of being carried. They have achieved their position solely on the understanding thatwhilstthey arereadyto concede local self-government to the fullest extent as far as public works and municipal management is concerned, and are prepared to allow the largest possible proportion of locally raised revenue to be re-expended where gathered they are determined to aboli m as far, and as early as possible, t'.e petty provincial executives and couu. ils, with all their attendant evils and expense. Amongst other bills that have been brought forward, the most important as yet is the Road Boards bill, which contiuns an infinite number of clauses, and is said to have been framed with a view of conferring large powers upon the local boards. This, as yet has not been debated, and we have hardly had a fair opportunity from the brief abstracts of its provisions, that have reached us as yet to form any distinct opinion as to its value or otherwise, but it is not at all probable that legislation will stop at such a poor fulfilment of the promises made, and it far from improbable that a-large extension of the county system will be inaugurated at an early date. The AVestland. experiment is admitted to be a failure even by those who are loudest in praise of the principle involved, and even those who afi'ect to regard it as a success, confess that its machinery requires large amendment. At the same time it is tolerably certain that by this amendment being made a good workable system can be got at, and one that will give satisfaction to all concerned. "When the system comes before the House, which it will do at an early date, we shall then be able to see the intentions of the Government, and arrive at better conclusions as to the benefit or otherwise, of the alterations suggested. Two of the "West Coast members have had practical experience in the County Council, and can explain the difficulties that they have labored under, whilst Mr Hall, who sometime acted as chairman, can bringstill more experienced information in connection with the matter. Mr Stafford too, is w T ell disposed towards the bantling, and even if it has showed itself rather rickety at its outset of existence, he will be inclined to deal with it tenderly, and suggest such -remedies as are likely to bring it round. The result of its treatment is of no small importance to this part of the •Coast, for it must be very obvious that the time is rapidly approaching, in fact, has come, when we should be prepared to govern ourselves instead of receiving our ruling from a place one hundred and fifty miles distant. No one can generally complain of the Nelson Government hitherto, but at the same time we should surely have less to complain of, if we undertook the administration of our own affairs, the distribution and appropriation of our own revenue, and the enactment of such local laws as are suitable to our requirements. The County system in an improved shape is pretty well certain to be adopted by the Assembly, and having the warning beacons of past blunders to guide them, members can without great difficulty frame such a measure as will, while fulfilling all the ends originally intended, avoid the mistakes into which early legislation fell. There can surely be little difference of <opiuioD, provided a good workable vo^ n-

sure is passed, as to the advisability of our at once availing ourselves of the privileges thereby conferred, and this is a question that the public can scarcely think too much or to deeply on. Road Boards would do much, but a good County system ten times as much and it is to the interest of all that it should be brought into operation. Mr Stafford has been profuse in promises ; we shall see how far he will go in performance.