The Fielding Star. SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1888. Parliament

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 100, 24 March 1888, Page 2

The Fielding Star. SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1888. Parliament

The House will meet for the despatch of business sometime in the latter part of April. It is an open secret that active lobbying has been going on for sometime against the Ministry of Sir Harry Atkinson, so we may expect to see some lively times in the battle for place and power, which appears to be inevitable every session. A southern contemporary says :— " The Otago members who supported the Government may be divided into two sections, one consisting of those who locally hold to their policy aiid' have entire confidence in their conduct of affairs, and the other— numerically much smaller, including, however, men of some weight — who, notoriously for obvious reasons, being dissatisfied with the personal constitution of the Cabinet, would not be sorry to see it broken up, and a new turn of the wheel taken. It is not quite certain whether the hon. gentlemen we refer to will show their colors before Parliament meets. At present they do not feel assured how tho land lies, or how the absence of Sir J. Yogel may affect the balance of parties. It is an undoubted fact, however, that they are, as it were, taking soundings, and are quite prepared to throw over Sir Harry Atkinson on the chance of how the ensuing political ohaos might evolve." Forewarned is forearmed, and those who know the stubborn temper of Sir Harry Atkinson are confident he will show a bold front from whatever side he is attacked. Eor ourselves we are disposed to prefer a period of political reßt to enable the country to settle. down to tbe real business of life, and allow trade and commerce to recover some of its nat- I ural elasticity.