MAJOR ATKINSON UNDERTAKES TO FORM A MINISTRY.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 65, 30 August 1884, Page 3

MAJOR ATKINSON UNDERTAKES TO FORM A MINISTRY.

The Governor asked Major Atkinson if he was prepared to undertake the formation of a Ministry, and he replied in the affirmative. On his return from Government House he proceeded to consult with the members of his own party as to the course he should pursue in forming the inevitable coalition. A laige proportion of them were found to bo inveterately hostile to Sir Julius Vogel and preferred an alliance with the Stout party, while others were opposed to Stout and favoured Vogel. They are now wrangling the matter out with uncertain result, Possibilities of the Situation.

There is just the possibility of Major Atkinson accepting both Vogel and Stout which would tend to weaken the Opposition more than is wholesomo for the country. Ifc is tolerably certain that a Government commanding a majority Avill be formed by coalition, but until Major Atkinson's own party are agreed on the form which the alliance should take, it is impossible to speculate on the nature, strength, and probable policy of the new Ministry.

How Sir George Grey Advised the Governor. A story is current in the lobbies that Sir George Groy obtained an advantage over all His Excellency's other advisers at his interview with him to-day. The current version is that he absolutely led the Governor on to discuss the difficulties of the position, and in the course of the remarks which were invited by the conversation said— " Well, I would advise Your Excellency to send for Major Atkinson. I suppose you won't mind my mentioning that t-o the House ?" The Governor, without thinking, replied " Certainly not. " It was only afterwards it occurred to him that he had. not accepted advice from anyone else, and Sir George Grey thus roally becomes the only man a\ ho has officially advised him on tho crisis.

Stout Preferred to Vogcl. The disagreement in tho Atkinson party vg Sir .Julius Vogel is still unsettled. The large majority arc bitterly adverse to any coalition with Vo^el. Negotiations have been opened with Mr Stout, but tho icauJt is ctill uncott.iin.

Mr Mitchelson as a Minister. If an Atkinson Administration in formed, Mr Mitchol-son is almost) coriain to represent Auckland in it.