THE RESULT OF THE ELECTIONS.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 787, 11 March 1871, Page 3

THE RESULT OF THE ELECTIONS.

The whole of the elections are now over, and in a rough way we are able to estimate what will be the probable strength of parties in the new Parliament. Out of seventy-four European members, we give Ministers thirtytwo supporters, the Opposition, twenty-eight votes —leaving fourteen whose opinion are unknown to us. the majority of whom, we believe, will not be found supporters of the present Government. Even among those we have ranked as friends of Ministers, there are several who have but a lukewarm regard for them, and who will break away the moment they are convinced that jobbery, extrav.-igance, and corruption are [part of the Government programme. Several now members have entered Parliament, believing in the principle of the Ministerial Financial Policy —that the Colony requires borrowed capital for public works and immigration; but when, instead of pursuing a wise economy with the money which is to add so largely Jo our burdens, they see it wasted unproductively, we shall be greatly surprised if they remain the blind partisans of a Government bent on ruining the country, instead of being the independent, discriminating guardians of the welfare of their constituents which they professed when seeking election. Time only can show, but we confidently expect to see the -tox-Vogel Government in a minoritv w the first party fight after Parliament meets. Besides the seventy-four representatives of European constituencies, there will be four Maori members in wifl House, two of whom will certainly M P ,°r<T an y Government of which

thing we know to the cor.trary, Ministers will have the support of the whole four. The lavish expenditure ou the natives since the present Government has been in office is alarm, ing, and it will be a curious thing if it should happen that Ministers owe their continuance in office to votes which they have secured bj corrupting influences. We believe, however, this will not bo the case, a- even assisted bj Mr M'Lean's sable friends, the Opposition will be too strong for the Government, whose days we regard as numbered. —" Nelson Exam iner."