THE KAIKOURA STAR. KAIKOURA, MAY 8, 1894. The Political Horizon.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 736, 8 May 1894, Page 4

THE KAIKOURA STAR. KAIKOURA, MAY 8, 1894. The Political Horizon.

The assemblage of Parliament, being within bail—about seven weeks hence —speculation and conjecture are rife as to the possibilities and probabilities of the forthcoming session. As the improbable so frequently happens, even in the political world, so may it prove that the predictions of the professed know-alls are very much astray, and quite unrealised. This would not be in the least degree surprising when the state of parties in the House is considered, and the conflicting elements comprised within the Ministerial fold are taken into account. Despite all that has been written and spoken on the matter, it would not be at all a matter for surprise to witness a Ministerial crisis brought about over the Liquor question. That it will mean ultimate shipwreck for true Liberalism there is no causa for apprehension, because the vessel is shaping a, generally, fair course. But it is quite possible that a change will be made in the occupancy of the Ministerial benches. The Premier is treating the senior member for Wellington in a manner that bodes no good for himself, politically. There is a quiet little game of Greek versus Greek going on, and it is quite on the cards that the Premier will cotne off second best in the contest. That Sir Robert Stour, will have a strong Prohibition following there can be no question, and as that following is not entirely Ministerial therein is to be found tiio danger to the present Cabinet. Many of the Prohibitionists on the Ministerial side say that party considerations will have the first place with them the avowal may mean anything. They may contend that party affairs will be safer in the hands of Sir Robert Stout than in those of the Hon. Richard Seddon, and so desert the latter. Should an insufficient number for Sir Robert’s purposes decline tp take such a course he has the Oppo-

sition ranks to draw upon, and, by a coalition of such forces, he may bring about the deposition of one whom he regards as an undoubted usurper of the position he holds that he should occupy. That Sir Robert is the abler man of the two there can be no doubt, but it is open to question whether the country has, correspondingly, as much faith in him as in the present Premier. Sorry, indeed, is the case if it has not so, will he the mental, if not oral expression of many. Be that as it may, the country has not forgotten Sir Robert’s exploitations in 1885, when, neatly ‘dishing the Whigs,’ he became associated with Sir Julius Vogel, an ardent Conservative of the moneydealing class, not a Tory of the Imperial order. It has fittingly been sain of Sir Robert Stout that he is not a rigid doctrinaire who would pursue to its end a “ theoretic scheme of policy that “ admits of no pliability for contin- “ gencies,” unless it suited his purpose, the reviewer should have added. It is unquestionably true statesmanship to know when to compromise, as it is to know when to adhere firmly to one’s doctrines. No one amongst the Members of the present Parliament has given greater proof of his knowledge of such matters, hence strong colour is given to the belief that without much sacrifice Sir Robert Stout will be able to satisfy himself and others that they will be able to oust the Hon Richard Seddon from the Premiership without doing violence to their principles.