The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning. Thursday, January 29, 1891. THE NEW MINISTRY.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 563, 29 January 1891, Page 2

The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning.

Thursday, January 29, 1891. THE NEW MINISTRY.

Be just and fear not; Let all the ends thou aim'st at be thy country’s, Thy God’s, and truth’s.

The Ministry selected by Mr Ballance is one that will command general respect, though of course it will always have to bear fair criticism. Mr Ballance’s task was a very delicate one, having so much material to select from, but he has acquitted himself with much credit in the selection. The fact that some of his leading supporters gave him a free hand in the matter, and asked him not to consider himself under any obligation to them, must have been helpful to him, and redounds to the credit of the party as a whole. It is proof that party interests are placed above those of a personal nature. The gentlemen selected are all men who have worked their own way to the front, and have given proof of considerable ability. In the ranks of the party many men of equal merit could be found, and some more clever debaters, but for administrative ability no better selection Could perhaps have been made. The colleagues chosen should be both competent and trustworthy, and with their aid it is hoped Mr Ballance will formulate a policy of a prudent and progressive nature. They have now an opportunity of putting to shame those whose cry has always been that the country would be sent to the “demnition bow-wows” if the Continuous Ministry were not kept in office. It is premature yet to divine what the policy of the new Ministry will be, but so far as there has yet been any indication it promises to be one that will establish the Ministry firmly in popular favor. As Mr Ballance himself says there will be none of that intemperance and foolishness with which opponents were pleased to conj'ure up to themselves as the grounds upon which the party would work. The prospect that is held out in regard to native land legislation offers renewed hope to the people of the fertile East Coast district, and already there is strong proof that the electors acted wisely in their choice. The fiscal policy of the Government is one that will also be noted with interest. Mr Ballance seems to recognise that the time is not ripe for any revolutionary change, but he will probably introduce the principle in a way that will not cause the temporary inconveniences incidental to alj changes.