PARLIAMENT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1175, 5 September 1884, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

v In our last issue the, position of was that Major Atkinson, who had undertaken the task of forming a Ministry, had succeeded, be himself bolding the position of Premier and Commissioner of Stamps ; Mr Mitchelson, 'Public Works ; Mr Wakefield, Colonial Secretary; Hop, George M’Lean (Upper House), Trades and' Customs ; Mr Hursthouse, Lauds, Immigration, and Agriculture Captain Russell, Postmaster-General. On the House meeting on' Thursday evening last, Mr Stout said the Opposition did not intend to stop supplies, but afi the Ministry was nothing but a renewal of the Atkinson Government, he (intended at the earliest moment, giving notice of motion that the House has no confidence in the Government.

On Friday night Mr Stout moved his motion. . His speech was a great disappointment from au oratorical point of view, after his slashing effort of the other night. He appeared to be stilt suffering from indisposition,; and spoke in a labored manner, the result being that his delivery, never rose out of a monotonous sing-song.- He dwelt on the fact of the new Cabinet being simply a repetition of the Continuous' Ministry, and urged that Major Atkinson was hardly able to change his policy because he had been out of office for a few weeks, and therefore could not complain because they were not allowed to bring down their policy. He practically admitted that if the present Government were defeated there must be a coalition, his remarks on the subject being received with cheers. Mr Edward Wakefield rose to make bis maiden speech as a Minister. It proved somewhat of a disappointment. Bis old flashes of humorous banter occasionally appeared, but there was an absence 01 " heart ”in to speech. He made a good point in replying to the charge of the present Government being the Continuous Ministry by pointing out that the father of the Continuous Ministry was the member for Christchurch North (Sir Julius Vogel) who now sat on the Opposition Benches. He made another good point when he pointed ont that the real question at issue was whether the Bouse was contented to be driven by the member for Auckland City East (Sir George Grey). If the Ministry were defeated his would be the laurels, aud he would get the spoils of the war, while both the main combatants gut the scars and the wounds. To Mr Wakefield succeeded Sir Julius Vogel, who at. usual addressed the Hou-e seated. He spoke out.'well. and.cl sly, with plenty of vigor. Especially empha io was the speaker as he described the “ wave of Radicalism ” which had passed over the land, and how, in his opinion, there could be no confidence in a country in which the' rights of property were so obscured as the utterances of the gentleman at the head of the Government would lead one to be'ieve. Hisjdefence of Sir George Gfey against the remarks of Mr Wakefield was received with cheers, mingled at in ervals with laughter, while he was explaining how the alliance arose between himself and Mr Stout, and the similarity of their views. Major Atkinson denied warmly that he had ever expressed any sympathy wit i those who wished to seize the property of others, and made a paipaVoe hit when he said that he had always opposed a laud tax because it meant practically the confiscation of a portion of the owner’s property. He made another point when he sain that laud speculation had undoubtedly been dead during the last two or three yeais, but every other industry in the Colony ha I steadily increased. Referring to the *• Continuous Ministry - ’ charge, lie was greeted with emphatic “ hear, hears” when he said Hat to have commanded the confidence of the House for so many years was a matter of credit rather than discredit. He declared that the Canterbury members were against the Government simply because of the grain rates, and ware more in sympathy with his side of the House than that where they now found themselves. His defence of ho Financial and Public Works policy of the Government, though from its nature rather “dry” was not without force and effect. Interest was revived again when he began to hit out at the member for Christchurch North, and described him as anxious to save the country, but only m one capacity—namely, as Colonial Treasurer. He was warmly applauded when he sat down.

An Amendment was put by Mr Guinness, “ That the debate be adjourned till Tuesday,” urging as a reason tnat it was unfair to oust the Ministry without giving them an opportunity of stating their policy. Other members also spoke, Mr Pyke saying that time should be given. Mr Fergus spoke in favour of the Ministry. A division was however taken, the ayes being, 43 ; noea, 33; and 8 pairs, thus 94 members in all voted. It was 10 minutes past 3 before the division was taken, and it was indica tive of the interest taken in the proceedings that a large number of ladies remained to watch them until the close.

Daring Saturday, Major Atkinson’s Gorernment having tendered their resignation, Mr Stout was sent for, and he undertook to form a Government, but it was not until Wednesday following that he succeeded. The following gentleman being honored : Mr Stout, Premier; Sir Julius Vogel, Treasurer; Mr Tole, Minister of Justice ; Mr Ballance, Native Minister ; Mr Richardson, Public Works ; Hon Mr Reynolds (Upper House) without portfolio.

The Atkinson party say that they will allow the Stout Government to bring down their policy before opposing them. It is very doubtful, however, supposing that they then find themselves in a majority, how far they would continue to exercise the virtue of forbearance. It is asserted that neither Sir Jnlius Vogel or the Canterbury members will bo content long to sea the latter occapying his present subordinate position, and some prophesy that before long they will bo fonnd in the ranks of the Opposition, and that ihe next step will be a strong coalition Go vernment formed by Sir JuUus Vogel and Major Atkinson, A rumour has been industriously circulated t i the effect that Mr Stout has tha promise of a dissolution in his pocket. lam in a position to say that this is not the case, and that it is extremely improbable one will be granted until several other attempts have been made to get over the present deadlock without recourse to such an extreme expedient. It is said on good authority that to grant a dissolution at sc early a stage in a new Parliament is absolutely without precedent; and it need hardly lie added that the bare suggestion of such a possibility is highly unpopular here. It is stated that Sir George Grey was the cause of the coalition negotiations being broken off.

There was ’» scene in the lobby on Monday morning between Major Atkinson and the Hon. Mr Waterhouse. The latter was cbarced by the Major with uttering false statements regarding him. Mr Waterhouse replied that he considered that Mj ir Atkinson’s attempt to throw over his colleagues on the afternoon that, they wort sworn in was personally dishonorable and a scandal on parliamentary' Govern* meat. Major Atkinson retorted with the lie direct whioh concluded a very animated interview.