THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1642, 4 October 1887, Page 2

THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

Wellington, Oct. 2. Major Atkinson goes to Nelson this evening on family affairs, and will return by Wednesday, for which day a meeting of the Opposition is called. The Major has obtained till Friday next to form his Ministry, and it is not anticipated that anything definite can be known till after Wednesday’s meeting. Major Atkinson denies that he has any intention of forming a Coalition Cabinet. Meanwhile Government are holding meetings daily, clearing up accumulations of business and putting things in order. Major Atkinson has not positively undertaken to form a Ministry. Ha merely asked for time as already announced, and nothing can bo known of his prospects of success until the meeting of the Opposition already announced for Wednesday. It is doubtful how many will be able to attend on that day, as the steamer arrangements will scarcely allow all to be in Wellington in time. The Wellington correspondent of the Lyttelton Times telegraphs on Oct. 2nd : —I yesterday afternoon had an interview with Major Atkinson regarding the silua- ' tion, and he was very emphatic on certain points. A few days ago an impression prevailed here that the ultimate outcome of events would be a coalition between Sir iJ. Yogel and Major Atkinson, but this impression is dispelled by the Major, who asserts that such a coalition can never take place. It might have been possible in 1884, ho said, “but the time for it had gone by." He goes further, and says that combination between himself and Sir Julius Vogel would be a disgrace under existing circumstances, as the sole obj ect of the House had bsen to turn the Treasurer out of power. “ If,” added M«jor Atkinson, “ the House wants Sir Julius Yogel they can have him, and I will stand aloof. Nor will any of my supporters follow him." Major Atkioson said he desired that there should bo no misunderstanding on this point, viz., that a coalition between himself and Sir Julius Vogel is an utter impossibility ; so, in the language of Mrs Colonel Poyntz, “ that matter is settled.” There is one other point on which the gallant Major professes to be equally determined, and that is that ho will not construct a Cabinet unless he is allowed plenty of time, and is sure of a party capable of carrying him through. In his interview with His Excellency on Friday, he asked that he might be allowed till the following Friday to consult his supporters, and this was of course conceded by the Governor. Meanwhile he has communicated with his party by telegraph, and has gone to Nelson to cogitate until his supporters assemble \o Wellington for the opening of Parliament. He will then personally consult them, and if he sees his way to construct a stable Cabinet he will ask the House for further time to mature his plans. If he does not see his way be will abandon the position of Cabinet maker for the present, and watch events. Whether he will succeed or not remains to be seen, I have placed his view* before you as nearly as passible as he gave them to me, so that they may act as a guide to what is to come.