Political Affairs.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 224, 1 September 1884, Page 2

Political Affairs.

(from our special correspondent.) Wellington, August 30. The political fiasco is not yet over and the formation of a strong Ministry is as far off as it was three or four weeks ago. Major Atkinson has had his turn and has been defeated by the united opposition of the Stout-Vogel party, and that of Sir George Grey. The action of Mr. Stout to move a no-confidence motion before the new Government could say what their policy was—whether it was the old one of Major Atkinson or a new one—appears to have been very unfair. When he (Mr. Stout) was placed in the same position as Major Atkinson he made an earnest appeal to the House not to condemn them or put them out until they could develop their policy—not merely to state what it was, but to develop it—and he considered, in his speech, that that permission was only just and fair, and should be given to any Ministry, but the House refused to listen to him, and now, in defiance of what he urged in that urgent appeal, he has been the very first to stand up on the floor of the House and say in reply to the Ministry, “ No, you would not allow us any privilege, and refftsed to let us develop our policy, we will refuse to let you even enunciate yours.” He was allowed the opportunity of putting his proposals before the House, but was opposed when he wished to develop those proposals. In his address on Friday night he did not show why such refusal should be given to the Premier, and the only conclusion that can be arrived at in actuating him, was petty spite, as he was at that time smarting under his recent ignominious defeat by the then Premier. The late combination should most certainly have had the privilege extended them of placing their proposals before the House, which I understood from the speeches of the Native Minister and the Premier, would be slightly different from that of the late Atkinson Government. The principal argument used in the debate against the Government then on the benches, was that it was only the Continuous Government reinstated. With one or two changes, most probably that was an undeniable fact, but still there is a certain amount of doubt about it, and their proposals might have assumed a different and more modified form, in so much as to warrant the House permitting them to retain office to transact the business of the country until the end of the session. But Mr. Stout could not and would see that, and his motion can only be looked on as taken for the revengeful gratification of his personal and private feelings, and for that gratification he sacrificed the interests of the whole of New Zealand. The end of the session would have seen the late Government

put out, because Mr. Stout had with him, besides his own large following, that of Sir George Grey, though he (Sir George) was so very eager for Major Atkinson to be sent for by His Excellency, but to that I revert further on. Well, that following would have remained with Mr. Stoqt no doubt, and he could when lire chose command the same majority he did on Friday night, and could have then, at the end of the session, made good use of it, and parties would then have been enabled to unite in the construction of a

B trong coalition administration, where all parties in the House would be represented on the Government benches. It is clearly evident from past experience that the Atkinson Government is played out, and should not on any account be permitted to hold power for any considerable length of time, but permission, I think, might have been granted them to hold office and complete the session, in order to have the work proceeded with, which these delays.are only muddling and confusing. The only genuine business that has been transacted since the members returned here this time, is the passing of temporary imprest supply. That is a very unsatisfactory condition of afliairs. Now is asked, What is the next thing to be done? That is likely to remain a question, but the answer might be given—Coalition or Dissolution. It means one of the two. The former is very desirable, the latter altogether out of the question. Well then it comes, who is the next party to be sent for? Perhaps no one. His Excellency who must be as heartily sick of this sort of thing as the people of the various constituences must be, will let the task devolve upon himself and will form a Cabinet of his own selection, though that selection, might stand a very good chance of being received with the same treatment as its predecessors but that would not occur, if his Excellency took to make it purely a coalition of all parties. A coalition Government is the only thing that will be able to remain firm, and when that is formed, then there will be a sound Opposition with but one leader, and not half-a-dozen as at present. Mr. Waterhouse’s name is mentioned, though vaguely, as likely to be the one next entrusted with this heavy task of forming a coalition combination, in which he would in all probability succeed, and by doing that the difficulty could be easily settled. Coalition is the only way to get out of the dilemma, and put an end to the strife between these rival politician leaders who are only becoming a bore and a nuisance by that rivalry, than anything else. They are always full of “ sunk personal animous and feelings,” but when they talk like that they are only preaching what they don’t practice, and only found to be making use of such words when the carrying of them into effect, favorably improves their positions, whatever they might be. However, I suppose we shall shortly know what His Excellency will do under the existing circumstances, and it is to be trusted that he will take some definite step in his next movement, and not permit of another dissolution, which would prove terribly disastrous to the people of the whole of the Colony.

I have seen Mr. Locke on several occasions, and he is very anxious to press on the Gisborne Harbor Board Bill, the prospects o which look pretty healthy at the present time, and will no doubt be favorably met if Mr. Locke plays his cards properly. He holds a good hand, and if he is careful to watch his opportunity and play his trump cards at the right time, his efforts will be succesfully rewarded, and he can rejoice and be glad.