The New Zealand Colonial Government has fallen beneath the reflex
unpopularity of those counsels in which it had no hand—the military and the imperial. A majority of one, nearly accidental— for a supporter of Government was steaming into the harbour as the division, which was pressed on for the purpose, took place—has thrown the administration into the hands of the Opposition. The
military administration of the war had been a grievous failure, but over this the "responsible" Government had no influence, and the event which at last precipitated their fall was one which they had no power to avert. The Governor, in a message to the As- sembly, announced, without any previous consultation with his Mi- nisters, that unless the Parliament vas prepared to vote money and men for the war, he should send the troops back at once. The As- sembly acquiesced sulkily, but fell angrily on the Ministers for not being in this uncomfortable secret, and a vote of want of confidence was carried a few days later in a full House. The leaders of oppo- sition are, we suppose, prepared to be responsible for everything not only that they advise, hut that is done without their advice.
In the mean time the Waikatos have held a very important con- ference and found a very able leader. William Thompson has gained celebrity among the Maories, both as a religious and a political teacher. His policy has been cautious, and his character stands high. lie represents the strong desire of this remarkable race for indepen- dent national self-government, and he is too sagacious not to see that any compromise is safer for the natives than war. His influence is the more formidable because it is pure as well as patriotic. He is a strong supporter of the land league and the Maori°and adopts a tone of Christian pity and condescension towards the Governor that is skilful as well as sincere ; he reproves him in lyric poetry, and in Scripture texts. He quotes the precedent of the American declara- tion of independence in his own favour, and he rallies all the tribes to his beck. He is a formidable foe.
