The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 1884. THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1215, 9 August 1884, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 1884. THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

The general election appears to have only increased the complexity of the . political situation by the addition of two • new leaders. What rendered the position ; difficult before was that there were too many leaders in the Opposition, all having the same aims , and objects, in view, viz., to ' get on the Treasury Benches, n<\ matter how or by what r means. ~'. Ihe addition of Sir Julius ' >Vogel and Mr Ormond to the number ' of leaders must only make confusion 1 worse confounded. It almost swms to shut but any hope of a strong Goveru- ,, tnient being formed at all. Mr Montgomery -'eems to have fallen into the background altogether, the shadow of the great Sir Julius having, completely ''shut him out from public view, but Sir George Grey appears, according to reports, " game to the heels," and looks forward . hopefully to the premiership. Another report says that he is verj anxious to bs sent Home as Agentt General arid that if he got that billet he would baud over his claims to an\one who would secure it- for him. We , should like very much to Bee him got rid of somehow, but the question is . whether (he cure would not be worse j than the disease. As Agent-General • he would have it in his power to do > much mischief. It is said his wish for the Agent-Generalship arises from a desire to settle old scores with the Colonial Office. A Noble ambition, indeed ! to have Ihe power placed in his hands to do perhaps a great deal of 3 mischief, for if he gnt at .Jogger-heads r with the Colonial Office it may lea.l to complications disadvantageous to this colony. Sir George Grey is the disturbing element in New Zealand politics, and it is verv doubtful whether he will ■' not be a stumblihg- block in the way of legislations long as he lives. We doubt the expediency of making him ;■ Agent-General, however. The. Welling. ton correspohdents>ay the Government cannot feel justified in advising the Government" to send for Sir Julius . Vogel, and that the choice will probably V fall-on'Mr; Ormond. The ground .on which they base this assertion is that Sir Julius was not: l ih the last parlia. I ment, an<? consequently they have no riaht'to recognise hi-m as a leader. Ihi« is very shallow-reasoning. . If they have not, the same argument applies to Mr Ormond, for he was not in tha last Parliament and he has less claims to i. leadership than Sir Julius Vogel. For our own, part neither Sir Julius Vogel nor Mr Ormond inspire us witL confidence. , We should- like to see that little matter abont the' Consolidated Telephone Company cleared up and have Sir Julius's policy before us before we gave in our adhesion. , As regards Mr Ormond he is one of those cold-blooded unsympathetic men, to whom members are not likely to attach themselves long. His character as regards dealings in native land is not altogetheroversavoury. At any rate the position is very critical, and it is likely to be so unless some of i the parties coalesce. We have seen it stated that another dissolution is within the bounds of probability before long. We sincerely trust not, but, at the same time, we must say that more unlikely things have occurred.