What man among us has seen the same service, or has denied himself the pleasures of life, to the same extent for the public weal as Mr Stafford .' We look through the parliamen tary records of New Zealand m vain to find another. It may be said that power is as great an Hujoyment of life as it is possible to obtain ; but we doubt whether the pleasure is very great m this colony when it is surrounded by <»o many bitter and envious place-seekers, who personally assail the administrators of the day for personal gain. Some men there are m every community who abuse power by serving their own selfish ends, btit such a charge has never been brought against Mr Staf ford even by his bitterest enemies, or most unscrupulous assailants. His ob ject m seeking and m keeping power is to serve the country m which he has lived for more than a quarter of a century, and m which his interests are bound'up. He may be replaced by an abler or better trusted leader, but not by the present leader of the Opposition. Mr Fox may for a brief period, it is true, become the confidential adviser aud counsellor of the Governor, but he can only do so by unscrupulous in trigue, which will recoil with fearful vengeance on his own head, and cast him into the abyss of oblivion for which his political conduct has befitted him. But the ability und earnestness of the present Government is not concentrated m the leader of it. There is not so able a financier m the House of Repre sentatives, or a member better informed, or one whose judgments are more calm or impartial, than Mr Fitzberbert. And where can we look for a more inde fatigable public servant or harder work ing man that Mr Hall ? Mr Richmond is a very hon«st as well as an able man, and has seen much public service. The only member of the Ministry, indeed, who would not add strength to any Government is the gallant and conscientious Native Minister, who is wanting m energy more than m abil ity. 