The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, SEPT. 28, 1886. Wanted—A Leader

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 46, 28 September 1886, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, SEPT. 28, 1886. Wanted—A Leader

The Christchurch Press has been casting about, for the last week or two, in search of a leader in place of Major Atkinson. The choice appears to hare falleu on Sir Robert Stout, the present Premier. The idea is not bo much to elevate Sir Robert, as to extinguish Sir Julius. It is a singular fact in the history of New Zealand politics within the last few years, that a " great leader " has always been wanted ; has always been found ; and has always disappointed his followers aud the people. A great leader was hoped for in Sir George Grey, who nearly ruined the Colony. Then followed Sir John ILaal, who was not thought a good leader, but who had able assistants to repair the injuries sustained by the "ship of state" under the command of such wild navigators as Grey, Macandrew, and Sheehan. With the Hall Ministry commenced the continuous Ministry which was ousted by Sir Julius Yogel and his party, which now holds the command. When Sir Julius came into power, a large majority of the people concluded, without discussion or argument, the halcyon days kad agaiu arrived with, tke advent of that potent financier. It having been found — especially in Canterbury, that this was a fallacy, a new leader is wanted, on whom they can expend their abiding faith. • Sir Robert Stout is at present a resident there, and on him the eyes of the people are directed by our contemporary. We admit it is a necessity for the electors to worship somebody, but we question whether Sir Robert Stout is the man to inspire the feeling. He is unstable as water, and changeable as the wind. He has preached economy, and practiced extravagence, notably in the case of the loan appropriations for railways. Should he desert Sir Julius Yogel at the present juncture, he would only be acting in perfect accord with his reputation. We do not think he is one who is intentionally disloyal, but from a peculiarity of temperament, cultivated by his education as an advocate, he can only see one side of a question; he can only act on one side. It is impossible for him to be a ruler ; he can only be a partisan. He may think to serve the Colony by forming a party against Sir Julius — to whom he owes so much — by an alliance with Major Atkinson, the possibility of which was often pointed out during last session by Sir Julius Yogel. So surely as this attempt is made it will carry its own defeat. Tke country is not yet "ripe" for any violent change we are aware, ! but it is not prepared to accept an amalgamation of such incongrous materials in a Ministry as Stout and Atkinson. Immediately on the arrival of Sir John Hall in the Colony, an event which may be expected in a few weeks, that worthy knight would be invited to couch his lance again in the field, and if he consented, would form a party, the chief among whom would be the redoubtable Major, who is an excellent lieutenant, but fails as a leader from lack of conciliatory tact, in which quality Sir John Hall excels. Although a section of the Canterbury electors may be seeking 1 another leader in place of Major Atkinson, who, by the way, will likely give some trouble before he is doprived of his command it is not a natural corollary that other electorates will accept their lead and desert Lira. It is an indisputable fact that although he may be rudo and over-bearing to his enemies, yet to his friends he is singularly attractive and capable of inspiring the sincerest loyalty. However, it has yet to be proved, by a general election, that the star of Sir Julius Vogkl is so far on tho wane as to justify, in their own eyos, any of his followers in deserting him, and the last man who ought to dream of it should be Sir Robebt Stout.