POLITICAL NEWS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4085, 25 August 1884, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

[by telegraph.]

(Fiiosr our Special Coiikesi'oxdent.) Wei.lixgton, This day

I was able to wire you on Saturday that Sir George Grey had had to ask for a further extension of time in which to form a Ministry after the members of the late Ministry had declined his overtures, and on Saturday evening there was an uneasy feeling that sooner 0 than fail in his task ho wouklbe willing to submit a scratch team to his Excellency, Avhich would probably have but a short shrift at the hands of the House. Well, the complications, I think, can all bo traced back to two sources. The Governor made a mistake in the first place in granting a dissolution to the Atkinson Ministry Avhen he did, and later on, avlicu Major Atkinson kneAV the results of the elections, the astuteMajor erred in resigning so early, for it is more than likely, if he had not doncjso, he would not have been defeated in the House, because men would naturally Avant to see who were to he his successors iv tho event of his being driven from power. To those two blunders the present very unsatisfactory 'situation is due, and as I wired you on V Saturday ff Sir George fails in his endeavor Major Atkinson will then be sent for, and practically Avill bo in statu quo, and Avhat will follow ? I am not foolish enough to try and guess. The delays are so vexatious to tho majority of members that presently any team, no matter lioav iucapable, will obtain a decent measure of support. The Otago Times of Saturday says that Mr. Thomson Avould earn tho thanks of the country if he handed over to Mr. Ormond the task of forming a Ministry, allowing him to choose his OAvn colleagues. Mr. Ormond could, if he were not hampered, as -was Sir Julius Vogel, get together a Government Avhich would be completely satisfactory to the country and Avould command a Avorking majority. In fact an Ormond Ministry, Avith Sir Julius Vogel as Treasurer, would be a moat satisfactory outcome of the present position. Of cotu'se, there are people who cannot see the difference betAvcen a Grey-cum-Atkinson alliance and an Atkinson-cum-Grey alliance. Well, I think there is a difference, and apparently tho wily Major thinks tho same, and will have no thins: to do with Sir George. Of course, during last Aveek a number of unforeseen things occurred, and perhaps the chief of /theslwasthe sending for Sir George by His Excellency. When the alliance between Major Atkinson and Sir George Grey was spoken of some ten days ago, of which I wired you at the time, it was new for a moment anticipated by either party to the compact that Sir George would be sent fen. So, if two clover tacticians like the gentlemen named occasionally err in their calculations, is it to bo wondered at that pressmen, who are not altogether behind the scenes, sometimes fall info strange traps. But, all the same, that alliance was a fact, and now;, through the wrong man being sent for, it seems as if it would be broken, but will probably be renewed should Sir George fail f n getting a team together, and should the Minor who wi]l thcu Le entrusted with the £sk, succeed, only on different terms. But, as I have repeatedly wired, the only strong combination is one of Atkinson Vogel, and OiTond, and to that it will eventually come *The N Z Times this morning says that ■ qir George Grey will be unable to form an ? ceptaHe Ministry, and the only outcome nf the situation will he that a coalition between Mr Ormond and Major Atkinson or Vtween Major Atkinson and Sir Julius #sTwfflbi formed. This is very sug-

I o-estive from the organ named,_ as it is the accredited journal of Major Atkinson. Sir George Grey, up to the time ot wiring, has made no progress further than Mr Wakefield and Mr Hatch have agreed to join, but two such men in a team Avould alone wreck it. Sir George Grey, I fancy, Avill not abandon the task, but Avill form a Ministry at all hazards, and trust to the chapter of accidents, Avhich Avill in this case avail him nothing, for it is just as well understood by members as by pressmen that a Vogel-Akinson-Ormond coalition will be the result, and all this preliminary fencinsr is just so much dust thrown in our eyes, but which will not blind us, as we are prepared for the only outcome possible m the circumstances. If Sir George Grey has hatched anything ho is keeping it quiet, particularly quiet for him, but he is busy enough m other ways. Ho is frightened that the scratch team he may get together won't last long, and consequently he is industriously circulating the report that, should such be done, a dissolution will stare honorable members in the face. There is nothing in it, and as a threat it will avail but little, as there is not a shadoAV of a chance of a fresh dissolution at this stage of the game. The constituents of Captain Russell and Mr Smith are inundating them with reproachful telegrams for having voted against the Ministry—in fact many members are being Avatc'hed for what is termed their indecent haste in the matter. _ Query, is that action the result of Avire-pulling ? A Canterbury caucus Avas held this morning, but I have not yet learned the result or object. There will be a caucus at 2.30 this afternoon between the supporters of Sir George Grey and Mr Stout to sec if a combination can be effected. Should the caucus result in nothing it is said Sir George Grey will throw the sponge up, as it is quite evident, from the feeling of the House, that no stopgap Ministry would be tolerated for a day. Of course it\vill be too late to Avirc tho result, and after that—Avell, speculation is dumb, and the curtain can be rung down. It will bo strange, indeed, should the members of the Stout Ministry go back on themselves after the result on Saturday, Avhen each man individually declined, and afterwards, at a meeting collectively, the result was the same.

SGfsecs. A protest against Hastings for crossing Avas disallowed. (Received August 25, 11 a.m.) This day. Five cases of small-pox have been reported to the health authorities, who have ordered the patients to be removed to the quarantine station. (Received August 20, 12.30 p.m.) The eases ot small-pox reported in tho previous telegram were discovered at tlic Orient Hotel, George street. Three of the sufferers are in a bad condition. Owing to the neglect of the proprietor of the hotel to report tho matter to the authorities, a prosecution will be instituted against him.