THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1002, 6 September 1872, Page 2

THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS.

The special reporter of the 'Eraminer' writes : ' The great debate still drags its slow length along, and judging from appearances is likely to stretch into another week. The Ministry are evidently endeavoring to prolong the debate to the utmost, hoping to secure the return of Mr Tolmie, and thus to add another vote to their side at the division. I shall not be surprised to see the Luna sent off express to bring up Mr Tolmie, should he be elected—for of course a good deal depends upon that. I do not think there would be any chance of the Luna being sent for Air Kichmoud should he be returned. Besides the hope of Mr Tolmie's vote, the Ministry cling tenaciously to office, and hope to gain a vote or two by delay. Even now they can hardly realize the imminence of their fate. They had grown so accustomed to carry things as they pleased, to set the votes of the House at defiance, to so easily obtain pardon for their offences, to control majorities and millions without let or hindrance, that they cannot understand meeting with any chock ; in fact they began to regard their Ministerial offices as life sinecures. To any one taxpayer who bestows a serious thought upon the condition and prospects of the colony, the sights just now visible in Wellington are humiliating and depressing. In very broad daylight you may see the haugers-on and office-seekers who are attached to the skirts of the Ministry, touting without disguise and without Bhame for votes. What indeed astonishes me is that every one knows this sort of thing is going on and does not i-nmediately denounce it. Instead of that there appears to be a

general and tacit acquiescence in the existing state of tilings, as if reform were impossible. Things which would be considered disgraceful and degrading in any British community are here lightly passed over, and often made the subject of a joke. I think a sad state of affairs exists, and one that gives rise to the gravest misgivings in those who have a shadow of interest in the welfare of the country. Not only is public opinion vitiated, and the body politic oorrupted, but people have come to despair of reform, and to lose faith in political history. It is indeed no secret here that votes are

being purchased by the Government, and any member who sets a price upon himself will be likely to get it. 1 could point to instances during the

present session of such sudden revulsions of opinion of one or two members as appear utterly irreconcilable with political consistency or honest conviction. Notably in the case of a Dunedin member, who made a most sycophantic and adulatory speech in support of the Government, whereas only a few days previously he had condemned the Ministry in the strongest possible terms.

No one who sits much in the House can fail to be struck with the remarkable difference in the morale of the men composing the Ministerial and Opposition parties. In fact if a line had been drawn dividing all the established reputation, and personal influence, the tried ability, and the worth, from the mediocre and place hunting, the disparity could not have been more

striking. Where are the men arranged an the side of the Government to niaich such reputations as those of Sir David Munro, Messrs Stafford, Kolleston, Eeader Wood, Gillies, Williamson, Sir Cracroft Wilson, and Fitzherbert ? I cannot help thinking that the four advocates ef the Ministry, such men as Messrs Bathgate, Stewart, Beynolds, and Bluett, feel their cwn litter mental insignificance as compared with the men to whom they are •opposed. Indeed while on the side of the Opposition is raDged the welltrained political leaders of the colony. The Ministry is surrounded by & Tagged following of needy and •clamorous place-hunters, and men ■of small political character and reputation.