THE The Inangahua Times, PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. MONDAY, MAY 10, 1880.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 10 May 1880, Page 2

THE The Inangahua Times, PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. MONDAY, MAY 10, 1880.

It would seem that tbere are still a a few live embers in ths grate of Sir George Grey's political party. A month or two ago it appeared as though the fire of the great Liberal party had been effectual'y ' squelched,' but after a considerable amount of puffiug on the part of tbe most zealous of the Opposition journals, a little smoke has been raised, and no doubt by the time the House meets there will be a very respectable blaze in the enemy's camp. It will be eeen that Sir George Grey will enter upon the war-path on "Wednesday next, for the purpose of restissemßling and re-ani* mating his scattered forces, Dunedin, Christchurch, and lnvercargill being the places selected for the unfolding of the programme of attack. Although from the position he took in the House upon his defeat, and his subsequent retirement, Sir George Grey may have been understood to bave waived his position as leader of the Liberal pary, there is beyond doubt no man in the ranks of the Opposition whose utterances are looked forward to with aa great interest at the present Junoture. as those of the ex-Premier. The present Government have taken '. — have been compelled to take — several very bold and hazardous steps during their short career, and it can hardly be denied that in their manner of going about tbe business they have \m much of what tbey have done supI plied the Opposition witb abundant ffood for attack. Tbeir position was, however, an admittedly difficult one, i and it may possibly be tbat behind the \ old saw tbat "Desperate diseases require desperate remedies," they will find justification and shelter. What the position of the Native question is at tbe present time, there are, we feel sure, few people in tbe Colony, outside the confidential circle of the Ministry, wbo are able to understand. It did seem at one time as though tbe Government meant to deal firmly and vigorously witb the difficulty, but they seem of late to have reseeded to a policy in regard to the Maories , whieb is not to be distinguished from tbat of their predecessors. It is true tbat disaffection bas been quieted, but the luxurious billiting* of several hum dreds of fat, indolent and treasonable Maories upon the revenue of the over' taxed, industrious population of Hhe Colony, is a quietude for which we are paying rather too bigh a price. There is no doubt tbat upon tbis, as well as many otber important questions, Sir George Grey will be able to shed a deal of light, and hence the interest which attaches to his approaching deliverance. Again, the Government cannot in the nature of things escape a severe hauling over tbe coaii upon the question of the Bailway and other Commissions. That a Government continually preaching poverty, and wearing a visage of settled despon* dency should consider ifc needful to send flying commissioners aiou4 tbe colony *to investigate tbe practicability and cost of new works, which are, as we are told, quite beyond the resources of the colony#io undertake, involves an element of incongruity which it is difficult to fatbom. However, it may be tbat tbere is some hidden and bene* ficient meaning feall this, which is not apparent to the uninitiated We hope so fervently, and will wait and watch.