The Daily Telegraph. THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1883.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3642, 15 March 1883, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph. THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1883.

The members of the Ministry, with the exception of the Colonial Treasurer, having been pretty constantly on the move since the prorogation without effecting anything of public importance, Major Atkinson has now found time to pack his carpet bag. It is understood that he has a distinct mission, j and that he will give political addresses in all the chief centres of the Middle Island. The Wellington correspondent of a Southern paper says that Major Atkinson's idea is that there are several most important public questions which urgently need to be dealt with, but wliich are generally only partially understood, dimly perceived, and vaguely thought about, and upon which it is highly essential that a distinct and definite public opinion should be formed, so that if the Ministerial proposals should not be approved, somebody may be prepared with an alternative scheme, and so that there may not be a repetition of the past waste of tune in more idle carping criticisms, with nobody prepared to suggest anything preferable to what they oppose. General questions will be specially dealt with by Major Atkinson, who will invite free criticism and alternative suggestions from those who do not approve of his ideas. Particularly, it is believed, ho will urge the public to i'ace the question of poverty, and its certain growth in the colony xuiless timely measures are taken for its prevention and cure. This will most likely be the special subject of his second speech in each place, his first being addressed to the consideration of other political questions, and this one only touched upon incidentally. He appears determined to make a strong effort to stir up a vigorous and healthy public feeling in place of the prevalent stagnation. After his southern tour he will deliver addresses in Wellington and Auckland, but it is hardly likely that time will permit of his speaking elsewhere during the recess. It is said to be pretty certain that if a respectable Opposition party is formed next session, and Ministers are seriously threatened, they will force a trial of strength on a distinct issue, and appeal to the country if defeated. The other Ministers having dismally failed in their efforts to acquire popularity, it comes about (says the Timaru Herald) that Major Atkinsonhas been fixed upon to open the mind and the breast of the Ministry to the country, and to make that disclosure of the Ministerial views and intentions, which is to remove all misunderstandings and bring the Government and the people into perfect accord. He is undoubtedly the fittest man for the work. He has unbounded courage, of the best sort, for the more he is opposed the higher his spirit rises. No one ever yet saw the Major with his tail between his legs. Then, ho has an unequalled knowledge of public affairs within the limits of his study of them. He understands the public accounts thoroughly, and he is intimately familiar with the financial history of the colony for many years past. He has also given 'much more attention to the principles of politics than might be supposed from his speeches in debate. He is decidedly tHe best politicia-n now in. tlie lower House. And, on the whole, he is a very good speaker. He has a dry, rough, rather unpleasing delivery; but there is a blunt solidity about his style that commands respect, while his unmistakeable grasp of lus subject holds his audience very firmly. He never flounders or twaddles, but even in dealing with mere masses of figures, he always contrives to give a sustained and sustaining interest to his remarks. There is a tough, straightforward good-fellowship about him, too, that is very taking. . Everybody likes Major Atkinson, and his bitterest political opponents have no personal feeling against him.