RESIGNATION OF MR SEWELL.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 883, 4 November 1871, Page 2

RESIGNATION OF MR SEWELL.

The Hon. Mr Sewell, Minister of Justice, has resigned. With nineteuths of the people who understand that gentlemau and his contraiy, or, as the Scotch say," camstairy" actions (Mr Donald M'Lean will understand the word), we oifer thanks for the result. Laus Deo! Mr Sewell has been the bete noire of the Ministry, and his departure lightens the ship. His conduct in connection with the Nelson Lands Leasing Bill in the Upper House, was such as nearly to upset that measure ; and we feel assuved he did not represent the feelings of his colleagues in the Ministry when he sought to destroy that bill by a series of strangling resolutions, which were happily defeated. His late visit to the West Coast, the object of which no one could understand, inasmuch as the department of Minister of Justice had no particular duties to perform there, was detrimental to the position of Nelson as a Province ; and there was attempted something like " engineering" with which ex-goldfield officialism was reported as having had something to do.

It was time that Mr Sewell retired. As a Minister he was flustered by the first cry of danger, was afraid to face the breach, and was too facile in his principles. Eevv will regret his resignation ; it is a relief to the Ministry and to the Colony. His place, wo learn, is taken by Mr "Waterhouse till the end of the session. We presume here to observe that, while it is no doubt necessary there should be a leader in " the Lords," still, as to the office of Minister of Justice, we feel, with Talleyrand in replying to the beggar, who said he must live, that we " do not see the necessity" for such an office..—" Colonist."