The Opposition

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 11, 8 July 1886, Page 2

The Opposition

A rumour has reached us from Wellington that the Opposition have held a meeting at which sundry and various resolutions were passed to the effect that its members would knit themselves together to form a powerful phalanx to attack and overcome the Stout- Vogel Ministry. We are somewhat sorry that — if the rumour be true — they did not do something of the kind before, for had they done so, the debates in Parliament would have had a new interest imparted to them. The majority on the Government side has been — since the beginning of the session — a good working one, and consequently the business of the i country has been done in a most satisfactory way. The country is well ; satisfied with the present Ministry, and has made no sign that a change is either wanted or disirable. The electors and taxpayers have not yet forgotten the trouble it cost them to get rid of the incubus of the Continuous Ministry. The Opposition may meet and pass resolutions, or sketch a campaign, and so on, if it amuses them, but they will not be strong enough to win their way on to the Treasury Benches in the current year of grace. In fact, we hold that it would be a public calamity for the present occupiers to be ousted. Of course it is easy to understand that with the advances in the prices of wool and grain, and tho consequent general prosperity dawning in the near future of the colony, the Opposition leader, Major Atkia'sov, would like to be at the helm of the Ship of State for another term, but for thft same reasons that he desires the position tho electors will keep him out of it. The present Ministry have shown they are progressive and farseeing, able to ' carry out as well as formulate a policy I suitable f«r the circumstances of the ' colony.