The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 362, 28 September 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1868.

Late telegrams inform us that the Alarm motion, as it has been termed, brought forward by Mr M'Lean of Hawke's Bay, has terminated in a tie, tliirty-two voting for it, and thirty-two supporting the Government. The speaker gave his easting vote in favor of the Government, and against the motion, and this, though giving a nominal victory to the present Executive, is in fact a serious defeat. It remains now to be seen whether the Stafford Ministry will regard the division in that light, or whether they will not consider the subject one of importance enough to resign upon. Possibly they will vacate office in consequence, but if they do, they cannot well carry out the threat of dissolution, as there really is nothing in connection with the motion to appeal to the country about. "When Provincialism was on the carpet, there was a distinct issue to submit to the arbitrament of ageueralelection, but in this case there is none. MrM'Lean'smotionwas simply this—" that this House views with alarm the position in which the colony is placed by the action of the General Government relative to Defence and Native affairs," and how thirty-two people in or out of the Assembly could be found to say nay, is inexplicable to the general public. That valuable and valued lives have been already sacrificed on the native altar, that the authorities have been astonis ingly apathetic in quelling the rebellion, that they have humbled themselves before a lot of savages, and have disgraced the trust reposed in them is certain, and how Mr Stafford and his following explained the past conduct of affairs is more than we can at present even guess. Later news from the Patea districts indicate the most humiliating proposals on the part of Colonel Haultain in reference to the Maories and his degrading proclamation, a few weeks ago still encourages the rebel and disheartens the soldier. Never was a man better named, but if his name terminated in ing instead of aiu, it would be still more appropriate. The Colony is weary and tired of late indecision in this all important question. It cannot afford to have the expense and disgrace of a petty, fruitless, but withal bloody contest, and nothing but the most decisive measures without thought of mercy or vacillation will be accepted with confidence. No matter what ministry is in power, they must undertake, at whatever cost, to crush and trample out the rebellion and its leaders. If a thousand men are not enough ten thousand must undertake the work, and the first cost will be the cheapest in the end. But will Mr Stafford resign or will he accept the verdict of tbe House, and exhibit a little more activity in prosecutiug the war to an end ? We are inclined to think that he will adopt the latter alternative, and if so, why so much the better. On this subject, as we have previously remarked, we deem the past ministerial policy to have been culpably mischievous, but if a dissolution takes place the abolition of provincialism may be almost indefinitely postponed. Again, should Mr M'Lean or Mr Eox take office with the Assembly constituted as it now is, the same see saw changes will again take place, parties being so evenly balanced, and the opposition's tenure of power would probably only last for a week or two. "Whichever way it is looked at, a change at present would seem to be almost a nat onal calamity for questions of deep import to the future well being of the colony, wou"d be deferred at least, if not allowed to remain altogether undisposed of. However undesirable the continuance of the late native policy may be, it would be a pity if the ministry accepted a well deserved censure as a defeat necessitating re-

signation, Mr SfcafFord now has the ball at hu foot, as far as the abolition of provincialism goes, and if he retains office, the beginning of tho year 18G9 will see a great and vast change for the better, in the destruction of what has been a canker and a curse to tho rising colony of New Zealand. At the same time, the temper of tho House hasb een unequivocally shown, and it is clear that all the ministerial influence that could be brought to bear, could not command a majority. The division can only be regarded as an actual vote of censure, though hardly as one of want of confidence. The telegram is silent as to the intentions of the ministry in the crisis, but only a few hours will probably elapse before they are declared. Till these are known, we refrain from further comment.