WELLINGTON LETTER.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 212, 18 August 1884, Page 2

WELLINGTON LETTER.

[from our own correspondent.] Friday.

The present position of affairs with regard to the political situation bears a very unfavorable and unsatisfactory aspect, and is anything but encouraging. For the past four or five days Sir Julius Vogel has been working up a Ministry, in which he has partially succeeded, though, with apparently the utmost difficulty, and even now those whom he has chosen as his colleagues, do not appear to give general assurance and satisfaction as they should do. Sir Julius made a big mistake when calling on Mr. Stout for assistance. Even that would not have been too much, but in relinquishing and consenting to allow him the responsible portfolio of Premier, was obviously a step in the wrong direction, and one which should have been immediately rectified. It is stated that Mr. Stout only accepts that office nominally, that Sir Julius is the real Premier by taking precenence as Colonial Treasurer, but that is impossible and cannot be, the Treasurer being unable to take precedence when both sit in the same House, and Sir Julius being placed, as it were in a subordinate position might prove detrimental to the interests of the public in the Government’s administra-

tion, because Mr. Stout being Premier makes it a Stout Government and not a Vogel one.

as is attempted to be made out. A Ministry presided over by Sir Julius with Mr. Stout as his right-hand man would have been moderately strong, even providing the others did not give approval, and which they in their turn most certainly do not, as Mr. Montgomery does not carry much confidence with the Canterbury members, and Mr. Macandrew will be highly unpopular with those of the North Island, in fact they both will, owing to their having on former occasions displayed so much hostility towards North Island measures. Mr. Balance is the only representative of the North. A great amount of reliance can be placed in him and there is not the slightest objection taken to his holding office, on the contrary his (appointment is looked upon with much favor. Mr. Richardson’s appointment is strongly condemned by many, as he is the third Canterbury Minister. It is given out that his appointment is only temporary and that he will most probably retire and select the Presidency of the Middle Island Railway Board, which is proposed to be established. It is to be hoped that such is the case, for his presence on the Ministerial benches only tei ds to increase the intense dissatisfaction at present existing. Sir George Whitmore is another North Island man, but without portfolio. There is still one seat vacant which will be filled by an Auckland member, if one can be found suitable ; if not, perhaps Canterbury, who is so very lavish and

obliging, can find another. On the whole the Cabinet, as it is now constituted, is totally unfitted to carry on the Government of the country, and administer its affairs with justice and equity in its present dilapidated condition, and is not one which will, by any means, inspire confidence into the hearts Of the people, at least of those of the North Island, owing to the undue preponderance given to the Middle Island. Gross injustice has been done to the North Island, and they most assuredly have every reason to cry out and complain against such barefaced treatment. Sir Julius looks to the Middle Island for all his support, being only able to count on four North Island supporters, and it is now pretty evident that he does not command that large amount of omnipotence, if I may so call it, as his most ardent followers at first considered he did, and the chances are that he and his followers will soon find themselves in the minority. Truly, opinions vary very much on that point, some appearing to think they can command a majority, whilst others are confident they will sustain an ignominious defeat within a week of their being sworn in. That, however, remains to be seen, but the latter appears to be inevitable. Statements are being circulated, which arc substantially correct, to the effect that Sir George Grey and Major Atkinson are working quietly together, and will at the eleventh hour combine their parties in Opposition, and having, as they suppose, an undoubted majorty, oust Sir Julius and his colleagues. They estimated their combined following at about fifty five, as against forty of the Government. Sir George Grey has, it is alleged, an old grudge against Sir Julius, and positively refuses to work with him, and speaks of him in very bitter terms as merely an intrusion. He will therefore ally himself with Major Atkinson, but that only conditionally. The Major must not accept office as Premier, provided they succeed in their endeavors to overthrow Sir Julius Vogel. By this alliance with Major Atkinson it is thought by some that Sir George puts himself out of the Opposition altogether, and so relinquiehes all claim on them, and that by doing so he has done them good service. The Canterbury papers back this up, and state that the Opposition is once and for ever rid of him—and well rid of him and the Ministry is virtually formed. But that is not the case; Sir George is still in the Opposition, and the Ministry cannot yet be regarded as virtually formed, it is incomplete, being minus a member, though most probably one will soon be found to fill the vacancy when required. The air is laden with rumors as to whom it will be—Mr. Hurst, Mr. Tole, Mr. Hamlin, and Captain Morris being mentioned as those likely to receive the appointment. The Auckland members here are having a little fun amongst themselves over this vacant seat. Several of them have purchased a large red-colored felt hat, on which is beautifully worked in silk crewell work a representation of a full-sized rat, which it is intended to present to the honorable member who accepts a seat under Sir Julius Vogel. There is every reason to believe that that question will not be settled until after the Address-in-Reply, and the Ministry will catch three or four more votes by giving promises to certain of the ambitious members who are anxious and seek to fill such an important post. If the Ministry manage to get a majority over the Opposition by such promises, the latter may not press them, but stand by and permit them to retain office unmolested until near the end of the session, in order not to retard but to facilitate and allow the despatch of public business to be proceeded with. Then an attempt will be made to defeat them, and if that occurs there will be an immediate re-construction, Sir Julius taking the Premiership. That will, most likely, be the programme the Oppositionists will work on. Questions are now being put as to whether this Middle Island Government, for such it may justly be termed, would not be a bore to the North Island Main Trunk Railway question, the proceedure of which is of the most vital importance to the colony gene;Ally, but more especially to the North Island. Two gentlemen holding portfolios in the Government, Messrs. Montgomery and Macandrew, have always fought against it, and were also averse to the Loan Bill in connection with that scheme, when it was being considered and discussed two years back. Fears are now entertained that they will still prove hostile and be an obstruction to the construction of the line. Such an action on their part would be disastrous to them, and would increase the power of their opponents, whereas, on the other hand, if they favor the line they will materially strengthen themselves. . Therefore those fears can very easily be dispelled, because the Government know full well on which side their bread is buttered, and the prospects of the promotion of that great work will be favorably managed whilst they are in office.