The Fielding Star. THURSDAY, JULY 29, 1886. No-Confidence

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 20, 29 July 1886, Page 2

The Fielding Star. THURSDAY, JULY 29, 1886. No-Confidence

The defeat inflicted on the Oppositi(iii % the Government on the amendmbht proposed by Mr Richardson^ oajght to satisfy Major Atkinson and' ■ his; followers that his and their chances of •usting the Stout- Vogel Ministry are remarkably few. Why the leader *f the Oppositioo did not take the initiative himself instead of putting in the: ▼an »ne ef tke rank and fiio of his party, is probably known to himself, but to us it is a confirmation of the opinion we have long held that Major; Atkinson is singularly devoid of tact. The longer he remains- off the Treasury Benches the more opportunities he. affords the country of judging of his unfitness to suggest or support a progressive poliey.-, .VV'hil© . preaching economy th» practice of the Continuous Ministry was the extravagenceof I inanition, that is to say, beginning! nothing and ending nothing, while | the taxpayers were paying interest on { unreproductiVe money sunk in unfin-* ished public works. The stand taken by the Premier deserves and has our warmest admiration. He has shown how well fitted he is to lead, and how able to meet and overcome the enemies of the policy of the Government. In whatever form they may attack, -it is interesting to note the Opposition have never brought down a motion of want of confidence, but have^ with ihe" cunning of weakness, proposed amendments, which would take that form during debate, or not as they discovered their strength or weakness. Fortunately for the eountry Sir E. Stout has on each occasion this movement was made, met it at once and forced the Opposition to fight a battle when they would have been better content with a skirmish 6f outposts.' To defeat the present Ministry the Opposition must be entirely reorganiuea first.; in the second place they must destroy the confidencethe people have in the Ministry ; third, and most difiioult task of all, they must win that confidence to themselves, which will " givetheui some trouble to da.".