The Manawatu Times WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1878.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 84, 31 July 1878, Page 2

The Manawatu Times WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1878.

The Parliamentary campaign has been opened, but although the vanguard has been marched into the field and taken up position, the entire forces have not as yet mar- " shalled around their respective standards, and consequently the first shot lias not been fired. The two combatants have entered the ring, but the proceedings have not gone farther than the preliminary shaking of hands before the set-to, and the curtain has fallen upon the first day of the Session, with apparent concord and harmony reigning supreme. So far from tho late Premier, Major Atkiusox, or the coming leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Mr. Eox, exhibiting a captious front, or impeding the passage of the Bill introduced by the Native Minister, both heartily endorsed its necessity, and commended the somewhat .exceptional course pursued. This quiescent state of affairs, however, is merely the lull which precedes the storm, and we have little doubt its aspect will have been very materially changed m the course of last night's debate. On Friday the Chief was not at the head of his followers, and the seats occupied did not number one half the names on the roll of the House. To the nephew of Sir G-eobge Gtbet has been allotted the task of moving the Address m Reply, and it is more than possible that it will be m dealing with Mr George's maiden speech that the first fire will be opened. There would certainly ap-"* pear to be no desire on the part of the Government to stave off the evil day, as the Colonial Secretary stated m the course of his remarks, that if such course were allowable, the Treasurer would be prepared to make the Financial Statement ab the next sitting. This certainly looks well, and is an unanswerable argument that notwithstanding the protracted and extended tour of the various members of the Ministry, all the Cabinet have not been idle. It is but a few days since the announcement was made public that the important portfolio resigned by Mr La-estacii had been accepted by the Minister of Education, and the very first opportunity has been taken by Mr BallajStcg to acquit himself of the taslc imposed upon him. During the Recess the hon. member for Rangitikei, like another Atlas, m the absence of his colleagues has taken the entire con-

t.rol jind working yf tlk» seveivu departments upon his shoulders ; but we shall ace when he has unfolded his Budget whether he is the Admir.iblo Crtchton his worshippers would proclaim him to bo.