A POLITICAL FORECAST.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 95, 22 April 1879, Page 4

A POLITICAL FORECAST.

A correspondent of the "New Zealand Tiroes" writes :— "As it ia now beiog generally accepted by persone of every shade of political opinion that the present Ministers' existence cannot extend beyond tbe firat few days of next session, curiosity aod ■peculation are being excited aa lo what will then take place. It ia being very commonly supposed that tbere will bo a dissolution of the Houae. Aa againet thia it |8 well kuown tbat tbe new Governor ia averse to dissolutions, except some good and substantial reasons can be given for eueh a ccurse. Aud no reasons can be given by the present Ministry beyond the fact that tbeir attempt at legislation has been a failure, k and thsir administration tbe moat iropo-

tent ond corrupt ever knowu in thia country. Should they be attacked on tho address, as no* doubt they will be, with a direct " no confidence " motion, the bill of iodictment will be such that nothing can save thero, whiie they will have nothing (o go to the couutry on hut broken pledgei and unfulfilled confilenees, which, I fear would be a bad passport to public confidence, and such a plra ss the Governor might well refuse to grant a dissolution on. After death — what then ? Who is to take iheir p^ce? Tlat's the qutsiion ; there beinj*, as is generally supposed, no organised Opposition. That supposition is only partly true, as will he seen on tho meeting of tbe House. As J tn the coming men, if you are anxious to know, I will give you some idea. Lender anl Premier, Hon, F. Whitaker, notwitbst.udiug his having intimated that he does not intend tuking office ; Colonial Seomtary, Hoc J. Hall, and lealer of the L°gi<ila.ivo Council ; Mr. • ; tf phens, of Christchurcb, Minister for Public Works ; F. D. F_ntou, Chuf Ju .ge Native Londs Court, Native Mini.ter, or what is more probable, will fin \ a seit in the House of Representatives ; JVLjor Atkinson, Treasurer ; George McL n», Co. nmissioncr of Customs. This leaves opeu the offices of Post mastei -Gen; mi and Commi*.aio_er of Lan :s, one of which would probr.bly have been awarded to Mr Curiis, of Ne'son. had he not sold hia own party in 1877, and sold himself to tbe present Government in 1878. His repentance, though it bo wilh tears, cannot be accepted. The rauk and file of the House, who will support tha Government named will set their faces dead agaiuet serving under ony renegarie. Hence the portfolio of Post-master-General will fall lo one or other of such men as Walter Johnston, Captain Kenny, Woolcock, Seymour, Fitzroy, or Wason. Rolleston, who would be a weakness to aoy Ministry, will make a good Speaker ; and as Fifzheitert bas made up bis mind, if possible, to obtain the Speaker's chair in the Upper House, there will be ao openiag \ for Rolleston.