The Feilding Star. THURSDAY AUGUST 28, 1884. The Political Situation

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 32, 28 August 1884, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY AUGUST 28, 1884. The Political Situation

As we predicted, Sir Geobge Gbey failed to form a Cabinet, and advised the Governor to send for Major Atkinson. The latter, who has now a following of over fifty members, has undertaken a form a Ministry. It was hoped and desired that the negotiations between the Major and Sir Julius Yogel would lead to the latter assisting to form a Coalition between their several parties, but we learn that they had fallen through. The obstacles now in the way of Major Atkinson are serious, but to a man of his energy and force of character they are not insurmountable. We believe that the country will welcome him and support any Ministry he may select, provided the " objectionables " of the continuous Ministry are eliminated. We are told that these are Messrs Rolleston and Connolly, and we are not inclined to disagree with the appellation. That these gentlemen will be changed from ardent supporters to bitter enemies will be the inevitable result. It has been freely stated in Wellington that a dissolution was not improbable, but we do not think that the new Parliament will be ready to rush into another general election so soon, before the wounds sustained during the last contest have had time to heal. As will be seen in our telegrams, Major Atkinson has asked for an extension of time until to-night, wliich has been granted. The Canterbury members held a caucus yesterday and they have determined on war to the knife to any Ministry which excludes Yogel or includes Atkinson. The Major is willing to coalesce with Yogel, but some of his supporters object. A dead lock seems imminent. [Since the above was in type we have been informed by wire that Atkinson, McLean, Wakefield, and Mitchelson have been sworn in as Ministers.]