POLITICAL PROSPECTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1258, 8 June 1886, Page 3

POLITICAL PROSPECTS.

The result of the division on Mr Montgomery’s motion renders it possible to forecast the political future with something like an approach to certainty. Had the majority for Ministers been only two or three, or even four or five, this would have inspired a desire to try conclusions again upon some other issue, but so crushing a majority as sixteen is sufficient to convince every opponent of the Government of the utter hopelessness of any further attack. Not that the House is opposed to retrenchment; on the contrary hon members on both sides not only admit its necessity, but are, we believe, honestly desirous of effecting it, but it is quite clear.that it is decidedly opposed to the dismissal of the present Administration, and the restoration of the Atkinson regime . It may therefore be taken for granted that Ministers are secure for this session, and if for this session, then it follows that they are safe for the whole term of the present Parliament. For if there be no change this year, certainly there will be none next, for as Parliament expires by effluxion of time in August, ISS7, there would be nothing gained by the carrying of a hostile motion at the session which will probably open in April of that year. Hence it would appear that the StoutVogel Government have a further two years’ term of office practically assured them. The present then ought to be a session remarkable for useful work, and free from the harass of constant attacks. Ministers should be able to carry all the important measures they have brought down, and which, added to the legislative work already standing to their credit as the result of the two previdT'- sessions, will constitute a record they can point with satisfaction and confidence when the general appeal to the constituencies in due course eventuates. Indeed all the legislation of the Ministry should be finished this session save that relating to the franchise, the redistribution of seats, and the reform of the electoral laws generally, which should be almost the sole Jwork of the session of 1887. Indeed we imagine that this is very much what will happen, and that with the exception we have mentioned, the session now in progress will close the legislation of the present Parliament. Next year the House should meet about the middle of April, and the electoral and franchise Bills should be ready at the opening. These would keep hon. members fully occupied and interested, and the accounts and Budget could be presented, as this year, about the middle of May. The discussion of these and the passing of any necessary financial measures would occupy probably a month more, and the House should be ready to prorogue about the middle of June. The elections would thus proceed in the ordinary course in August, and the new Parliament would be called together in May, 1888. What may happen then it would be idle to attempt to forecast, but meantime it appears pretty certain, as we have already said, that the StoutVogel combination which so many predicted must necessarily have a very short term of existence, can safely count upon continuing in office for the next two years. The member for Akaroa has indeed proved their best friend, the result of his attempt to dispossess them having been simply to fix them firmly in their seats beyond all chance of removal during the term of (be present Parliament,*-^//.