The Feildign Star. SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1885. The Political Situation

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 16, 18 July 1885, Page 2

The Feildign Star. SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1885. The Political Situation

It is rumoured in the lobbies that many members of the House are becoming tired of the condition of political affairs now obtaining. Recognising the fact that the financial and commercial business of the colony required the closest and beet attention of Ministers and the House, they came up prepared to give a loyal support to any or every measure which would tend to the general good of the people. But the extraordinary course of policy followed or adopted by Ministers has certainly destroyed whatever hopes members may have had of carrying out this good purpose. Under existing circumstances it is not surprising that they should become desirous of bringing the session to an early close. The Stout- Vooel Ministry is one the individuals of which enjoy more personal popularity in the House and colony than any of their predecessors ever even hoped for. It is this feeling which, in part, keeps them in their several positions. The measures introduced by them are disliked and condemned, but the men are liked and upheld. But chivalry is not, and never will be, a cause of good government. The country demands that common sense, and not mere sentiment, shall guide her councillors. Knowing that another motion of a want of confidence would end in dismal failure, the Opposition, as led by Major Atkinson, make a virtue of necessity, and declare that the time has not yet come whan they wiU again be prepared to assume the reins ot Government. If members composing this party, which is now known as that of the Continuous Ministry, are impressed with the idea that the StoutVookl Ministry are educating the people into the belief that the country cannot do without the said Continuous Ministry, they are vastly mistaken. We have observed that during the chaos which existed before the formation of the Stout- Yogel combination, and the outcry which went up from every town and village in New Zealand against the increased Customs Tariff, mot a word was ever said which would imply a hope that they should be called to the Treasury Benches again. As the House dees not desire a change of Ministry just now, and is almost resigned to the knowledge

that no business of importance seems likely to be done this session, the question naturally arises in the minds of . thoughtful and observant persons, 1 What is to be the end of it all ? It is not so many months ago, our readers : will remember, that when it was hinted, j and the hint became a fact, that Sir ' Julius Yogel was on his way out to the colony to take part in the adminis- , tration of affairs, every one was jubilant ; the spirit of prophecy came upon them, and the return of the golden age was confidently predicted. We have Sir Julius, but the golden age is yet in the near future. It appears Sir John Hall is the saviour we have been waiting for, and he will bring with him the " good times " which are always so long a-coming. We believe that the instant Sir John Hall reenters Parliament (as he has declared he will), if he undertakes the leadership of a party, and as he has been too long a leader to accept a subordinate position, the two events would be simultaneous. It is almost certain that Ormond, Atkinson, Bryce, Rolleston, and even his former colleagues now in the Ministry, Sir Julius V©oel and Mr E. Richardson, would gladly take service under or with him. The splendid abilities displayed by Mr Ballance as Native Minister would be almost certain to obtain for him a similar rank in a reconstructed Ministry, his loyalty to his party notwithstanding. Mr Stout would probably accept a judge-ship, although for the present he disclaims any ambition in that direction. One thing is clear — that as a Premier, acting as locum tenens for Sir Julius Yogel, he has often forgotten his position, and in esseiting himself as against the policy of his actual superior, has done much to bring Ministers into the helpless muddle in which they are now placed, and which is forcing the people, who are, very unwillingly, beginning to look about for new masters.