INTENTIONS OF THE LIBERALS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1112, 23 April 1880, Page 4

INTENTIONS OF THE LIBERALS.

Writing on Feb. 18, after the Liverpool election, “ Atlas” in the World makes whal appears now to be very fair forecast of What is likely to happen in the immediate future.—“lt would be a nysfadm to suppose that the Liverpool election has in the least degree disturbed the confidence which the Liberal leaders feel as to tlie result of the next general election. So sure are they that the Liberals will come back with a small but compact majority that the arrangements for the formation of the next Administration hate been already under dicussion. The intentions of Mr Gladstone are necessarily the most important element in this matter. Now I can show, on the authority of one of Mr Gladstone’s Intimate friends, that he is not anxious to take office. He thinks that, if he succeeds in overthrowing the Government of Lord Beaconsfield, his public career is closed, and he wu! be quite ready to give Lord Darlington and Lord Granville a friendly and independent support. If, however, his presence is absolutely necessary to the success of a Liberal Ministry he will consent to take office. He will, however, be aut C(?sar, out ntiUus. He will take no subordinate position in the Government. He will be either First Minister or he will not be a member of the Ministry at all. It seems likely from what 1 hear that Lord Granville will attempt to form a Ministry himself without Mr Gladstone, but that he will be driven by the outcries of his followers to give np the task, and hand it over to the man who is the real chief of the party. Even if the Liberals could form a Ministry without Mr Gladstone, I pity the position of the leader of the party in the Lower House with Mr Gladstone sitting behind him as a friendly but * independent ’ critic. Another point has also been settled with reference to the constitution of a Liberal Administration. It will not be a purely Whig government, but will contain such an infusion of the Radical element as will be sufficient to keep the gentlemen below the gangway in good humour for a year or two. Sir C. Dilke and Mr Fawcett will be in the Cabinet ; while Mr Mundella and Mr Trevelyan will receive secondary posts in the Government. The Irish members may be interested by knowing that Mr Lefevreis destined for the office of Chief Secretary.