POLITICAL NEWS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4088, 28 August 1884, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS.

[by telegraph.]

(From our Special Correspondent.) Wellington, This day. The Atkinson caucus on Wednesday was attended by 51 members. The absence of three Avere accounted for, and Sir Geor"_ Grey having the good taste to stay aAvay every vote against the late Ministry was accounted for. After the caucus the following tip for a Ministry Avas handed round: Hon. Mr Waterhouse, Captain Russell, Major Atkinson, Mr Wakefield, Mr Hursthousc, Mr Mitchelson, and Mi- Fulton.

At the Atkinson caucus a resolution, on the _ motion _of Mr Pyke, Avas passed that Major Atkinson should form a Ministry. A further understanding was arrived at that the team should consist of new men, the Major being allowed to take no one of his old colleagues but one if he were so minded. Each of the Ministers of the previous Atkinson team expressed himself as agreeable to such an arrangement, probably Avith the idea that he would be the one chosen. Of course in these notes, wdiich profess to be a narrative from the commencement of the crisis, Avith sundry padding sandwiches in betwten, it is only to be expected that I should make use of such expressions as I informed my readers yesterday, so as to show the cotinuity of fhe narrative.

On the House assembling last evening Mr Bevan gave notice that ho would ask the Government if there Avas any intention of having members of Waste Lands Boards elected by the people instead of being nominated.

The licensing question seems likely to be well threshed out, judging by the number of bills on the subject. A bill by Mr Shrimski was circulated yesterday. The object of the bill is to imprison Avithout tho option of a fine anyone selling liquor without a license.

Tho caucus of tho Stout-Vogel party was not resumed this morning, because tho Ministry has not been announced.

It is said that the difficulties in the way of the Major are becoming serious, and he is encountering the same troubles which upset his predecessors in the matter of Cabinet making. A novelty in the way of a caucus occurred this morning. The goldfields members held a meeting, but were anxious that the pressemn should be present. Strange to say, there was no response to this generous offer ; it was, I presume, too muoh of an innovation for the Knights of the Pencil. Information got Avith difficulty is, I suppose, valuable, and, Avhile thoroughly reliable, is not of an attractive character.

It is reported that Mr Ormond has declined all overtures to join Major Atkinson, though late last night it was believed that he Avould throw in his lot Avith the Major. The following have been sworn in as Ministers .-—Major Atkinson, Hon. G. McLean (Upper House), and Mr Mitehelson. Strong efforts are being iuade to secure Mr Tole, and the hope has not yet been abandoned that Mr Ormond Avill join. It is useless commenting on a Ministry Avhich at present only includes three names.

The following press opinions on the situation are from telegrams in tho Evening Post: —

The Dunedin Star says:—"Sir George Grey's failure causes no surprise. He came to Wellington weakened in prestige and power, but not the less resolute in mind to have his own way or bring about political chaos. So far he may congratulate himself on having succeeded. It was in a great degree owing to his underground working that Sir Julius Vogel found himself seriously embarrassed by tho question of the representation of Auckland in the Cabinet. Sir George Avas not willing to join himself with colleagues Avho had minds of their own,' and especially objected to play second fiddlo to Sir Julius. He Avas resolved if ho couleV* help it an attempt to form a Ministry should absolutely fail. To this end he controlled the action of tho Auckland members of any standing who Avcro not supporters of the Atkinson Ministry, so that one and all refused the offer made to several in succession of a seat in the Cabinet. Sir Julius therefore was constrained to place himself in the hands of Mr Montgomery and Mr Macandrew, Avith the consequence that the personal constitution of the new Ministry Avas exceedingly distasteful to Auckland. Sir George Grey's failure will be regarded with satisfaction throughout the colony ; he entirely merited the sever* lesson, or must noAv realise hoAv utterly he has forfeited _ his high esteem. It must have been a bitter pill to confess he could not rally a party of any kind." In reference to Sir Julius Vogel's letter the Lyttelton Times says that " to assert that the whole Opposition voted Avith Mr Thomson only because they feared Sir Julius's proposals Avould carry the colony Svith him Avould be saying too much. What many of the reasons were that turned the votes only lobbyist's can guess, but some are patent enough. Mr Wakefield' voted against the Ministry because it did not contain Mr' Wakefield. Mr Grigg, it is true, did the same because of one item in tho policy, a tax Avhich might have meant £50 out of the pocket of that large-minded and patriotic member, but Mr Reeso voted because walks arm-in-arm with the great Pro-Consul had turned a head never too strong.'" The Auckland members Avalked in to the Opposition lobby because tho South Island must never havo a predominant voice in the colony or' Government. The Nelson members did so because they Avero not immediately promised a raihvay to de\ r elop their barren mountains. Mr George McLean lobbied against tho Ministry because the Union Steamship Company does not love the NeAV Zealand Shipping Company. Mr Stevens helped Mr McLean through similar reasons to those which filled Mr Wakefield's patriotic breast. As for Mr Thomson, Aye know what the Chairmanship of Committees had to do with - tho votes. In conclusion, the ' illustrious Mr Hate*, seconded the amendment because ho was asked to second it, and could not refuse so great an honor. Such are a feAV specimens of the excellent reasons for depriving Sir Julius Vogel of a chance of reviving prosperity in New Zealand."