The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1884. The Session

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 67, 15 November 1884, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1884. The Session

In order to show what public opinion is in Wellington on tiie capacity and judgment of the men who in Parliament assembled represented the people of New Zealand, we make the following extract from the Post : — " The manner in winch the Government business was carried through the House was calculated rather to mystify than to enlighten. It may bo asked, why did not the Opposition prevent this ? The answer is that they could not very well object to their successors following tlieir example in this as in many otlier matters. The present Government only did what previous Governments have done, and what we suppose all Governments will try to do until the House asserts itself and takes up a determined position on the subject. There were not wanting signs in the last few days that the present House is not inclined to be quite as docile as some of those -which have gone before it. Ministers have driven it a little too hard. It is composed of superior elements to the last House, and contains a larger proportion of educated and able gentlemen. Many of these have made great sacrifices of personal feeling in order to eject the Continuous Ministry from office, and to keep it out for a time at least. It was, however, a bitter thing to many to have to acknowledge allegiance to Mr Stout as Premier; to others it has been equally bitter to have to follow Sir Julius Yogel, and accept his policy. The sacrifice, however, was loyally made, but those who made it have good reason to complain that it did not seem to be properly appreciated by those to whom it was made. There is no concealing the fact that latterly the Premier and the Treasurer assumed a domineering, petulant, and almost offensive tone towards even their own supporters, which many found it very difficult indeed to submit to. Ministers themselves seemed at sixes and sevens as to the conduct of j business, and the Government whips, after beating up industriously at the behest of one Minister, not infrequently found that another Minister was determined on a diametrically opposite course of action on the subject in question. Had the session i lasted a week or two longer, there would have been an open revolt amongst the Government party, and a fresh shuffling of party cards would have taken place. Next session, when \ the roll call of the Government party is made, there will be many who will fail to answer, and Ministers will have themselves to thank for the defection. There is a limit beyond which gentlemen will not be bullied or driven. Major Atkinson has no reason to be dissatisfied with the course of recent events in the House. For weeks past he has been steadily growing in fayor, and perhaps he never stood higher in tho estimation of the House than at the close of the present session. At the beginning of next one we expect fully to see him at the head of a very large, united, and formidable party. He has successfully played a waiting game, and Mr Stout and Sir Julius Yogel have, of course unconsciously, done a great deal to aid and assist him. The result will be apparent next session.