SPECULATIONS REGARDING THE PREMIERSHIP. SIR FRED. WHITAKER SPOKEN OF IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. MEN WHO ARE MENTIONED AS PROBABLE MINISTERS. ATKINSON PREFERS "A STRONG OPPOSITION TO A WEAK GOVERNMENT." "Wellington October 6.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 223, 8 October 1887, Page 4

SPECULATIONS REGARDING THE PREMIERSHIP. SIR FRED. WHITAKER SPOKEN OF IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. MEN WHO ARE MENTIONED AS PROBABLE MINISTERS. ATKINSON PREFERS "A STRONG OPPOSITION TO A WEAK GOVERNMENT." "Wellington October 6.

Speculation is now \ cry keen with regard to the probable selection of men to fill the ■various portfolios in the new Ministry. The task of forming an administration for a House divided into so many sections is itself a very difficult one, and the difficulties are increased tenfold by the approved fact that there aie noaily thirty men at least who expect offiro, and some of these are certain to l>o into opposition if they do not get it. The awkwardness of the position ceruiinly'jubtifieo Major Atkinson in his intention of len,\ii3g much of the responsibility to the party themselves. Perhape the most difficult selection of all will be that of Premier. Thero is scarcely any likelihood of Major Atkinson taking it, even if it were the desire of his party that lie should do so. He is almost certain to be Colonial Treasurer. Opinion hero inclines to the belief that Sir John Hall will be Premier, but it is very improbable that such a choice would meet "with the concurrence of the Northerners, and it would be likely to alienate the pronii&ed aupport of Sir Geo. Grey, ■uho looks upon Sir J. Hall's appointment as out of the question. Mr Ormond is not sufficiently popular to justify the expectation that he would be accepted, and it is difficult indeed to find another man of weight who would be likely to be accepted as the head of the Government. This is the rock upon which a combination of loosely - knit sections would be mo.st likely to split. The \itit of Sir Frederick Whitaker to Wellington has gh en rise to the suggestion that in the event of an otherwise insurmountable obstacle to agreement being ai lived at on this point, he would be induced fco take the nominal head of the Government. His health is so bad that he could do no more, and would be of no use to his party beyond the assistance that his name and ad^ ice would lend. Such a Government as that which is likely to bo formed would require in the Premier, if possible, a a igorous speaker in the Lower House. However, all kinds of rumours are afloat with regard to the Premiership, and if the Northern contingent of the party raiso no objection, there ib very little doubt that Sir J. Hall will be chosen.

A Minister for Wellington. Feeling runs high here respecting the Wellington representative in the Cabinet. Messrs Beesham and Fisher and Dr. Newman are spoken of, and the influence of what are known as the governing families is being used on behalf of Mr Beetham, who appears to stand the bu=;t chance of getting the portfolio. Each of the three expected office, and the competition for the portfolio in some quaxters is said to be as keen as if it were an election contest. Mr Fisher is an able member and useful to his party, and has strong claims -.but the "Post" considers All* Beethams recommendations overwhelming 1 and bclie\cs Dr. Newman should have the next best chance.

Captain Kusscll. It is considered pretty certain that Captain Russell will be ISatne Minister, but he says he ha-j no desire to take ollice in the present Government, and would only do so if it were the wish of his party.

Canterbury's Chance or Representation. If Sir J. Hall is not provided with a portfolio, there is a likelihood that Canterbury will be unrepresented at the Cabinet, unless, indeed, thiough the medium of the Liegislath c Council. Neither Messrs Pearson nor Rhodes, ihe other Opposition members for Canterbury, are likely to be oflered a portfolio.

Other Possible Minister*?. The choice for Otago is more extensive. . Mr Fergus is considered almost certain to be included in the Cabinet, and the chances of Messrs Scobie McKenzie, G. F. Richardson, and Hislop for distinction are freely discussed. So far as Auckland is concerned, Mr Mitchelson's pro-pects for the position of Minister of Works are considered rather better than those of Mr Fergus. Should Mr Mitchelson be omitted, Mr Peacock is considered to be next in order of probability, with Mr Moss and Mr J. B. Whyte in the order named. Messrs Menteath, Allen, and Withy are also spoken of as possible Ministers, but of course much of all this gossip is mere conjecture. The election of the Ministry will be practically in the hands of the caucus, and the party is almost sui'e to be guided by a duo regard for the opinions of the majority and the maintenance of as strong a party as possible.

Sir F. Whitaker. The advent of this veteran politician to Wellington at the present juncture is discussed by the " Post" in its leading article last? night. The writer considers that *' Major Atkinson has thus achieved one important point in the political game, and then proceeds to say if any man can convert a minority into a majority, that man is Sir J?. Whitaker. He has heretofore done son- c wonderful things in this way, and although advanced years and other causes have for some time past kept him in retirement and rendered has reappearance a matter of doubt, there is no reason to believe that he has lo&t any of his old skill. He will be invaluable to Major Atkin&on as a counsellor in the present cri&is, and there is no telling ■what may be accomplished with his aid and by his advice, especially as he may be assumed to represent large iinancial institutions which are supposed to take a good deal of interest in the political crisis in this colony. If Sir F. "Whitaker is prepared to himself resume Ministerial office, his co-operation will relieve Major Atkinson of many and serious difficulties. The position of Premier and the portfolio of Attorney-General would naturally fall to Sir F. Whitaker. No politician in the colony would feel any loss of prestige in serving under him as Premier, and his acceptance of the Attorney-General-ship would satisfactorily solve pne of the most difficult problems likely to present itself to Major Atkinson in the construction of a Cabinet. if Sir F. f Whitaker accepts office there will be every reason to believe that it will be found very difficult to get rid of any combination to which ho has lent the sanction of his name, and tho aid of his skill, experience, and ability. The question is— •will Sir F, Whitaker's health enable him to take office? We doubt it."

Advice to Self-Seeking Politicians. Some very useful advice is given to selfseeking, politicians in the " Press " of last evening. , Tho article trusts that personal feelings and hopes will be sacrificed for the

general &ood, and thus cond-ocles : "This is >a <w:ry grave responsibility, Jvw<* at the same time a very high and gratifying privilege. Are we to be told thai the Opposhion are going to behave Rkoia, pack of sulky and unruly children, and t&row awfcy this great opportunity of rendering a distinguished service to their country merely 'because they cannot all, be Ministers ? We refuse to believe an) thing-so insulting alike to their intelligence, their patriotism, and their self-respect. Its may suit Sir Julius Yogel to put that notion abroad, but it i« the wish that is father to the thought j it is even possible that ho may believe it himself, for he always takes the lowest views of human nature, and is almost entirely incapable of attributing worthy motives to thoso who differ from him. There is nophingafcall, howe\er, to justify any such belief^ but on the contrary there are abundant indications in the opposite direction. Our own firm j opinion is that the numerous and able party who have been returned against the Ministry will faithfully and brilliantly discharge the trust that has been reposed in them by His Excellency, rightly interpreting the will of tho country. believe thoy will i resolutely lay aside and repress individual jealousies and ambitions, and agree to the ' formation of a powerful administration under whom overy one of them Mill exerci&e a huge share of political intluenco and consideration. "

Tho Rise iv New Zealand Stock. Tho controversy with respect to tho rise- in the English stock market still continues. Apropoi of the statement by one of the evening papers that the rise is due to the elections, and that the pi ice is now higher than it has been since the Government took office, I am authorised to make the following explanation of the other side of the case : The Government weie bound to keep off tho market until nearly the end of October, and the fear that the North Island Trunk Loan would be negotiated immediately the prescribed time elapsed kept down the price of stock. When the arrangements were made which rendered it unnecessary to place the loan for several month* the stock at once went up. Yesterday morning it was quoted at 93A. ex dividend, and j it will piobably go up to £100, or even more. Last half-year after the dividend wa:> paid it went to 100 and has only fallen to 99\ since, and would have risen but for the fear of the now loan. As to the other statement, one fact alone suffices. The loan negotiated by the Government in 1835 realised over .1100.

The Justice Department. It is beyond question that feinee Mr Tole took over the control of the Department of Justice he has effected a considerable saving in the expenditure by judicious amalgamation of oiHce.s. I saw yesterday a list of further savings made since the recess, and they represent a total of £1,060 per annum. Since he took office, therefore, !Mr Tole has reduced the expenditure of his department by ti 1,160,, 160, and this has been done without impairing the efficiency of the borvice in any way.

Vogcl'a Anxiety for Coalition Denied. Sir Julius Voxel's friends arc annoyed at tlie ptatemenb made that be is cndeavovu--ing to effect a coalibion with Major Atkinson. They say thai it is wholly untrue that he has either directly or indirectly made any o\ enures to Major Atkinson on the subject. I am also assured thafc there is no truth in the published rumour of dissension in the Cabinet on the ground, and that quite the contrary is the fact.

Wellington Post Office. The matter of the renewal of the General Poet and Telegraph Office destroyed by fire some little time ago is in a very awkward position. Tenders were called for the work, and it was understood that the estimate of a Christchurch firm was the lowest. The retiring Government do not consider that they would be justified, on the eve of their retnement, in committing their successors to such a lar^e expenditme by the acceptance of a tender, and therefore the v hole matter will remain in abeyance to be dealt with by the new Government.

First Offenders Probation Act. The operation and effect of the First Offenders Probation Act, which was introduced here by Hon. Mr Tole, has been watched with interest in New South Wales. Mr Tole has received a letter from the Minister of Justice of that colony, asking for a copy of that Act and for all the information available respecting its working. He proposes to introduce the measure into the New Fouth Wales Assembly. The information asked for is being forwarded.

Watchwords of the Atkinson Party. Major Atkinson stated yesterday, in conversation with some of his friends, that ho would not think of submitting the names of a new Cabinet to His Excellency unless he were perfectly certain that it would command a pood working majority. He also said that lie would prefer to have with him a strong Opposition than a weak Government, and that the former would certainly be the more powerful in the House. The lines of the new Government according to the Major are economy in all departments of the service and stern retrenchment.

An Incorrect Report The " Press " republished an account of what is j-rapposed to be an interview between a representative of one of the Auckland papers and the Minister of Justice, in -which the latter is credited with making strong accusations with respect to his defeat. Mr Tole is somewhat annoyed at the article in question. He says he considers the con versation to be a private one, and did not . intend what he said to be published. Be- ■ sides that, the account was written, not from notes but from memory, and it is not altogether a correct rendition of what was ! said, and does both himself and those who are referred to an injustice.

•nnd that if Major Atkinson forms a Cabinet ho will not ha'TOjixosy time of it.

AU the Northern Menit>e & Arrived The Hon. B, ©ighan, who was left behind yesterday at) Waitoa, arrived by the noon train to-day, lhaving suffered nothing by the trip down. All the other. Northern members arrived last indghfc.