DRIVEN OUT OF EDEN.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 81, 8 October 1879, Page 2

DRIVEN OUT OF EDEN.

At the eleventh hour Sir George Grey has struck his flag, and hauled down his colors. The persistent obstinacy of th.B Premier was so well known that not even his warmest friends nor immediate supporters could venture to predict what course their defeated Chief would elect to steer, and there can be no doubt it required equally as much persuasion of friends as pressure from foes to cause him to enter the cold shades of the Opposition. He has done so now, and while the step hiw as irrevocably taken from him all future command, his party will find him an invaluable ally m the ranks. Of course, Mr. John Hall will assume the leadership, and rumor has already been busy with the names of those lie will chose for his officers. The n>sb position of trust — that of the Treasury — has been allotted to tho ex-ex-P'-emier, Major Atkinson ; Mr. OrmoriA is to succeed Mr. Shefchatl as Native Minister ; and then the Premier is compelled to fall bock upon new and untried men — Mr. Olliver, as Ministerof Public Works; and Mr Wakefiald as Postmaster-General ; while to fill up the very important post of AttorneyGeneral, the newly-created Dictator is to set tho will of the people at defiance, and rescue Mr. Wh' taker from Iho obscurity to which ho was consigned by the electors of Eden. Though the gates of Elen were closed for an advent into the Lower House, the Hon. John will take the expelled one to his breast, and place him m the second. But where is Mr. Pyke ? Pyke, the king-bolt of the stage-coach, which, when withdrawn, senfc the vehicle to chaos and numbered its occupants with the " Opts." His name never even once mentioned m the betting— the champion " waverer " still a homeless wanderer. The first stage toward the beginning of the end has taken place; the purpose for which two-thirds of the members registered an adverse vote has been gained, and although the member for Selwyn umy with some difficulty succeed m filling the Treasury benches, the occupation by his nominees will not cost murh to the country, nor its business be long retarded. Of course, the distinct pledge of certain of the late Ministry, thab upon no condition would there be a reconstruction of the Cabinet l»ft no other course open to the Liberal party than to induce Si" George Grey to relinquish tho reins of power for a short time to their opponents. The course, however, has only been resorted to so as to recuperate strength and select the most fitting material for that contest which will shortly and assuredly ensue, when the Liberal party proper, with Mr. Montgomery at its head, will arisj -phoenix-like from its ashes with renewed vigor.