THE VICTORIAN MINISTRY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 69, 22 August 1874, Page 5

THE VICTORIAN MINISTRY.

Prom our Victorian files we learn that Mr. Francis, the Chief Secretary, has resigned the" reins of office, and that the helm of State has been taken in charge by Mr Kerferd, the Attorney-General. The plea upon which Mr. Francis has relinquished ,the cares of office is said to have been continued ill health, v but an opinion is pretty prevalent that the adverse position in which the Ministry were placed with regard to the Norwegian scheme, had much to do with the decision. Mr. Francis has for some time been in failing health, and the worries and cares of office, in conjunction with the thwarting of his favorite measure, have, no doubt, given him a distaste for further political strife. In addition to this, a spirit of jealousy has for some time existed between members of the Cabinet, which the Premier has been hardly able to keep from coming to an open rupture. On the other hand, it has been asserted that his retirement would have been but temporary, had there been a disposition amongst the members of the Ministry to accept the leadership of Mr Kerferjd in the meanwhile, and it was only when a determined opposition was eviuced to the arrangement, that his resignation became final. Indeed, subsequent events have disclosed the fact that the greatest want of unanimity existed in the Cabinet, and the disunion and ill feeling was so great, as to make it a matter of necessity, for the proper conduct of the affairs of the, country, that important Ministerial changes should have been made. The Hon. Mr Casey, the Minister of Lands, with a priucely disregard for monetary considerations, has been indulging in a series of visits to various parts of the colony, and travelling in a style in accordance with his exalted ideas of the importance of a Minister of the Crown. Of course if this laudable desire for information aud knowledge were indulged at his own, instead of the country's expense, it would be more open to praise than censure ; but as it was not, and as the public purse has been called on to meet those pleasure trips, the Treasurer refused to sanction the expenditure, the visits of the Minister not being of an official character. The present Premier of Victoria is an exemplification of what can be' accomplished by patient perseverance and determined energy ; and a proof that the topmost round of the ladder of life is within the grasp of those who commence the ascent determined to win success. It was a saying of Napoleon that every soldier carried a Marshal's baton in his knapsack ; and in. like manner may it be said that every colonist has a portfolio within his reach. Not many years since Mr Keefbbd commenced life in an humble capacity in the town of Beechworth, the centre of the Ovens district, and although he possessed no capital, his business qualifications procured him a partnership ih acommcrcial iirm on most advantageous .terms. The firm unfortunately failed ; but instead of beim* cast down or dispirited by tho reverse. Mr KrcitFOßD nerved himself to rene"\vod 'exertion ; and while following his ordiuary occupation he so employed his leisure hours as to study for the bar, to which he was. ultimately admitted. He has several times been Mayor of Beechworth, and for several years has represented that town in Parliament. When Mr Fbajtcts formed his Ministry, on the resignation of Sir Ch-uiles Duffy, Mr Kerfeud took the subordinate office of Solicitor-General, Mr Stkpilex being Attorney- General; but when the latter geutlemau appointed himself a Judge of the Supreme Court on the>

retirement of Mr Justice "Williams, Mr Kekferd assumed the positioa of leading Law Minister of the Crown, and at a comparatively early age he has attained the proud position of Chief Eesponsible Minister — the highest goal which it is possible to reach in the colonies. Mr Kebferd, now that he has succeeded in becoming the head of the Government had better steer clear of the narrow and illiberal policy which characterised tho Ministry of his predecessor. It was during Mr Fk^cts' term of office tliat the late Attorney. General introduced his unwise and bigotted Education Bill, at once a mischievous and popularity-hunting treasure, and a gross violation of the rights of citizenship. By that bill an outrage was, perpetrated on the principles and feelings of a largo portion of the community, which succeeded in alienating the support and sympathy which might otherwise have been accorded the Government, and perhaps have stood its friend in the hour of need.