CONSERVATIVE POLICY.

Waikato Times, Volume VI, Issue 320, 2 June 1874, Page 2

CONSERVATIVE POLICY.

(Pepss and St. James's Chbonici-e.) Since the formation o( the Conservative Mini«try, there has been a goud deal of criticism on their personal and political claims to confidence. Tlie conclusion is satisfactory; if not a brilliant Administration, they, it is goneially admitted, Imre fair working qualities, and aro equal to tho business of the country ; this from their political opponents ii all that their cupportert can expect. The country has confidence in the Conservative Ministry, and if they forfeit it, the fault will be their own. The country is prosperous, the exchequer is full, and there is everywhere a disposition to consolidate and preserve tho advantages enjoyed. It has long been the policy of the extreme Radicals to so constitute the House of Commons, that conflict between it tnd the House of Lords wai nlmost inevitable. Mr Bright bas frequently denounced tho House of Lords in terms of reprobation ; his popularity rather than his judgment gave weight to his words. The Conservative Ministry, backed by aborting majority in the Commoni, will be in accord with the House of Lordi. Mr Gladstone resigned and Mr Disraeli accepted office without any discussion in Parliament, and before it met. Thi» course is generally approved, the plea in its favor is convenience. There is n weighty objection on tho other side, it weakens the power of Parliament, which is the high court of the country, and makes Government more than formerly an affair of tho heads of parties. We prefer the older, and we think better practice, at tho riik of oil ihe suggested inconvenience. At present no serious consequences am follow the novel practice ; the danger is in tho precedent, which favors personal government at the cost of constitutional principle and Parliamentary authority. Conjecture is rifo as to what the policy of the Government is likely to be, and a fair inference is that it ought not to be the counterpart of the Government it has dispossessed. This applies more to its general character than to details. It BhouldbeaßOTcrnine.it of preservation rather tlmn of aggression, solid, and in no sense tensational. L<jw reform may he continued under the- auspices of Lord Cairn?, its it prob-ibly would have been under Lord Selbornc. Both are eminent lawyers, and know what changes would in practice bo improvements. Foreign policy is quite as safe in the hands of Lord Dcrbv as in those of Lord Granville, and no one doubts Sir Stafford Northcoto'i fitness to be Chancellor of the Exchequer. Tho Queen's Ministers may, at their convenience find ample employment for all their time and ability in tho adjustment of locnl and national taxation, a subject upon which the late Parliament, at tho instance of Sir Mn*§ey Lopes, expressed a decided opinion. There, too. is the 'policy of sewage,' to adopt the sneer of the late At-torney-General, a pressing and an important topic, with all its organizations of nuisance authority, sanitary nnd other boards. The statesman who both enn and will rearrange the system of local government throughout the country, preserving its local character, and fitting it to the changed habits, nnd in many districts to the density of the population w ill render the State real service. As population aggregates there is everywhere a tendency towards centralization in government, leading to excessive taxation in largo towns and the neglect of isolated districts. It is through the reorganization of local government that practical men look for the solution, as far as may be possible of the sanitary question, and m many instances that longstanding and dangeroui pollution of our rivers. This kind of legislation is not all heroic ; it is in no sense associated with blazing principles ; it is not a burning question, but a matter of investigation, experience and reconstruction. On the very threshold of office the Ministry are met by the exigencies of an Indian famine, which will tax Lord Salisbury 1 ! energies to the uttermost. Mr Disraeli may profit in at least on* instance by the experience of Mr Gladstone. His Irish University Edncation Bill, which he intended to conciliate the Irish Ultrnmontanes, was by their aid defeated, a discomfiture in which Mr Disraeli took part^aud from which Mr Gladstone suffered most keenly. The measure was faulty in conception iwid detail, altogether annstake; but »t» object was apparent. It is * lesson for all future statesmen not to attempt any fragmentary and exceptional legislation fop Ireland. Tha lesson mny be hard to learn, and difficult to pracliie ; but to attempt to govern Ireland according, to Iriih idtaa is to reduce civilization to her lev«l, and not to elevate Ireland. To rule Ireland on an Ultramonta»» model ii to connive at makins her & fief of tho P»p«cy. Justice to Inland it tho due administration of law, trusting, »nde» its. authority r to the industrial development of the country's resources. The Government, at homo and abroad, ha* wge and soom enough for the exercise of all its energiei. Its existence is allied with the uuion of Church and State, Christian educacation, the preservation and development of out colonies, and the maintenance and dignity of the Empire. It has, for the first time since 1841, a favorable opportunity of governing on constitutional principles — not adopting a policy of reaction, but of Conservative consolidation and progress.