The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1889. THE HEALTH OF THE PREIER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2288, 23 November 1889, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna et Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1889. THE HEALTH OF THE PREIER

Perhaps wo should rather have headed our remarks with the words, ." The illness of the Premier," for there is we fear only too mach reason to belivo that Sir fi. Atkinson's health has broken down under the strain of the work aad anxieties ot office. For years past he has from time to time been a great sufferer, and although recent news haß been of a somewhat contradictory tenor jet it is, we think, evident that he sorely needs a long rest and the most careful attention to tho means of recovering if possible his pristine vigor. Best he will not and cannot while m office, and it is to be feared that if he delay much longer he will take his rest, it he take it at all, too late. We are m most matters politically opposed to the gallant Major, but that does not prevent us from recognising the fact that he is a man whom New Zealand can ill spare, and it is for that very reason that we think it is much to bo regretted that he does not core for himself m time. And it does appear to us that circumstances have so fallen out that he could now manage to do this. The election of Mr Bryce for Waipa affords the opportunity of another remodelling of the Cabinet with that gentleman as its head, uud bir Harry could either retain office without portfolio, or vacate office altogether, joining 1 Sir John Hall m the capacity of. adviser to the Ministry, Such a change has indeed already been hinted at m more quarters tnan one as possible, and if Sir Harry is wise it will come about, That his indisposition is too serious to be neglected, is evident from the fact that his medical adviaerß will not allow him to incur the fatigue of visiting tbe Dunedin Exhibition on the opening day. If matters have come to this pass the warning should certainly not be ignored. ' ,