The Feilding Star. TUESDAY SEPT. 23, 1884. The Colonial Treasurer

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 43, 23 September 1884, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY SEPT. 23, 1884. The Colonial Treasurer

The opponents of Sir Julius Yogel are not content with plain all round abuse of himself and his colleagues, on the grounds of the faultiness of the Financial Statement, andtheir general policy, but they must search the English journals to find pabulum wherewith to farther ven^ their spleen. An article published in Money, an English paper of lair standing, has been very much quoted from to show that Sir Julius Yogel, and other persons associated with him in the formation of certain public companies, used their positions on an allotment committee to grant themselves more shares than was warranted by- their applications. That this was a grave offence, no one will attempt to deny or palliate ; but before entering into judgment on the offenders, we do think that they should be heard in reply. Tbat Sir Julius Yogel, for his part, will be able to make a good defence, we firmly believe ; and hope, for the honor of the Colony and the credit of the Ministry, of which he is a distinguished member, as little delay will be allowed as is consistent with the gravity of the occasion. The generosity of the papers that have raked up the matter at the present juncture is very questionable. That a severe blow has been dealt to the Ministerial party is highly probable and the consequences will become more apparent every day by the secession of members from the Stout- Yogel party to the more compact Atkinson following. By such desertions the object of the opponents of Sir Julius Yogel may be attained. We would much prefer to see attacks made on the Ministry as a whole than damaging slanders circulated against one of its members. The debate on the Financial Statement having now assumed the form of a no-confidence motion, the question of the probabilities of a change on the Treasury Benches will shortly be set at rest for this session. A cursory glance at the speeches of the two great^ leaders — Yogel and Atkinson— shows that the finance of . the latter is in no ; way inferior, practically, to that of his former master — Sir Julius. The only flaw Yogel appears to have been able to find was with reference to the I report on the Civil Service by Messrs Batjon and Seed, and the Bill in connection therewith, which was partially framed by Major Atkinson, but was withdrawn on the defeat of his Ministry. Notwithstanding ' the fuss which has been made about this precious report, we do not, and never : will believe that it Was worth the] paper it was written on, or would have j been worth a farthing to the Colony. For all that, it may be found useful as a " bone of contention " for both sides to worry over. H Major Atkinson could only disabuse himself of the idea that Taranaki is. the North Island and that the North Island is New Zealand, he would occupy a different position than he does at the time of this writing. The country was tired of him; and accepted' a change — no -matter of what kind. Whether the country .will benefit or suffer remains to.be seen.^ One great consolation remains, which is ..(tliat politics cannot alter the fact of all agricultural pursuits beaming promise of an abundant .increase during this season. When the purses of farmers are well plenished the -whole of the--people may view the ' struggle for possession of the Treasury Benches with comparative in6h_fferenteei ' " ■' ' ' •• ■- r P • : * : : '■■ ■' "' '■-' '■" *