The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1886. Parliament

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 143, 13 May 1886, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1886. Parliament

The opening of the Parliamentary session, which took place in Wellington to-day, has excited less general public interest tkan any previous similar event. It seems to be accepted as a fact by the general body of the electors that the Government is strong ©nough to defy the most earnest efforts of the Opposition, while the latter is so weak that its members can hope for no success unless aided by the third party, composed of Adullamites, and otheis of that ilk, who will "watch the course of events " before they declare themselves. But even counting the whole of these as Opposition, the Government still has a majority of confessed supporters, who will probably give more loyal service and adherence to their leaders than they did in the Bession of last year. The only fear we have is that Ministers may not be loyal to. themselves as individual Ministers and a united Cabinet. In the several speeches delivered by Ministers during the recess wide differences of opinion have been made public, which, althongh in the case o£ Sir Julius Yogel and the Hon. Mr Stout, these have been attempted to be explained away, have left an impression on the minds of many warm supporters of the Government, as well as of their enemies, that the Cabinet is not so united as t© make a rupture impossible. On the other hand there iB always the fact that the pressure from without of an organised Opposition may compel Ministers to unite firmly to meet the common foe. It is to be regretted, perhaps, that Major Atkixsox, the recognised leader of the official Opposition, has as yet been unable to formulate a policy to offer in place of tha£ of the present Government. If we may accept the speeches of the Premier at Invercargil l , and Major Atkinson at Auckland, as definitions of the party lines, the lattle j will not be "for party," but "for place." When the depressed condition of the colony is remembered, wo hope Ministers and members will join in one common effort to promote its general welfare. The Ministry now in o&ce enjoys public confidence as much as, if not more, than any Cabinet which has preceded them, aud^we hope they will continue at the head of affairs until the next general election.