The Political Situation

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 78, 18 December 1890, Page 2

The Political Situation

During the last day or two Minister* have made a discovery which considerably changes the face of things political, and alters the probabilities in connection therewith. Time has gone on since the 1 elections, and things have changed* Ministers are now confident that they are' supported by 35 out of the 73 members? that the Opposition party all told num- , bers only 32, and that of the six " Doubtful* " remaining the chances are much 10 favour of the Government getting » , majority. la these circumstances reconsideration of the position becomes 1 necessary, and it is now more than probable that the Government will not resign. The time of meeting had not yet been settled. It is most likely that it will b& in January, but it is to be remembered that the unexpected often happens. Ministers have quite made up their" minds with respect to the Legislative* Council appointments, and it is understood that Mr Montgomery will be among" the gentlemen called. Sir Htffi-y Atkinson" and the AgentGeneralship have been bracket ted to* trether so often that it would be super* fiuons to couple them again in rumours* Sir Harry will almost certainly take the Agent-Generalship when Sir Francis Dillon Bell's term expires, which i* about a year hence* we believe. The proposed Legislative Council appointments stand over for the present* If they are made, Mr Downie Stewart will be Attorney General for the reconstructed Ministry, or the next that represents the present Ministerial party. In this connection it may be mentioned that in the event of Sir Harry Atkinson retiring, the Treasurership is most likely to go to Mr Macarthur. — N Z. Times.

(.P3B UNITED P&E88 ASSOCIATION, j Wellington, This Day. In fulfilment of a promise given by th« Minister 1 tstlfsession that when the emi«* gratum vote expended no fresh liabilities would Ye entered into, the Emigration Department has now decided to refuse* any further applications for assisted pas« cages from England. It is improbable that the Government will decide on the Legislative Council appointment* this month." The Cabinet have decided to call Parliament together for the despatch of business on Friday, 2^ r <l January. '