THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Kumara Times, Issue 2530, 31 July 1884, Page 2

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

The Wellington correspondent of the Christchurch Press telegraphed on the 28th inst. as follows : All the Ministers are now in town, and held a long meeting of the Cabinet to day. The position was discussed at some at some length but 1 believe that nothing practical was the outcome. The position in fact is oue that continues to puzzle men of all shades of opinion. On the one side it is said that it has clearly been shown that the Ministers do not possess the confidence of the country, and therefore it is their duty at once to resign. In reference to the difficulty of deciding who does possess the confidence of the country, it is urged that that is a matter about which Ministers need not concern themselves; that they are under no obligation to give advice to the Governor, and that under the circumstances his Excellency would probably not expect them to tender any advice, but would exercise his own discretion as to the leader for whom he ought to send. On the other hand, it is urged by Ministerialists that, even according to the admission of his opponents, Major Atkinson has a larger compact following than any other leader in the House, and in other respects occupies the strongest position. It is also pointed out that in a large proportion of cases the constituencies have altogether ignored the question of confidence or want of confidence in the Government, and have returned candidates on their supposed individual merits, leaving it to their judgment to act as they should think best in regard to the lead they should follow. Bearing all these facts in mind, it is urged that it is the duty of the Government to retain office until the pleasure of Parliament is known. As far as can be judged at present all the indications point strongly to the probability of the next session witnessing a struggle unparalleled in the annals of New Zealand. In the meantime it may be assumed that each side will be making efforts to increase its strength. But it seems to be the general impression that nothing of any groat importance will be achieved until the members have, actually come in contact with each other in Wellington. The Wellington cuuvspoudent of the

Otago Daily Times says:—“lt may safely be said that there is not the slightest probability of Major Atkinson resigning and recommending that his rival should be sent for. So far as I can learn, the friends of the Government are on the whole very well satisfied with the result of the elections, which they say is as favourable as could be expected, considering that no definite issue was before the country, and that in the majority of instances the elections were fought on the question of the relative merits of the respective candidates, apart from party considerations.” The Press says:—“On the whole Ministers will, we think, best consult the interests of the country if they retain office till the House assembles, aucl then accept their defeat at the hands of Parliament.” The Titnam Herald considers that “ the result of the elections is that we have decidedly the best Parliament that has been seen in New Zealand for the last twenty years.”