The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1889. THE PREMIER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1920, 23 July 1889, Page 2

The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1889. THE PREMIER.

Sib Habbt Atkinson is frequently ( accused of having a leaning towards Liberalism. In his recent speech to his constituents, Mr Scobie Mackenzie, , who may be relied upon as a thoroughgoing Conservative, said that Sir Harry Atkinson was leading the wrong side of the House; that he was tainted with Yogelism; that he would borrow more money the moment he saw any opportunity of doing so, and that if he went out of office he would leave the Treasury chest so empty that whoever succeeded him would have to i replenish it with borrowed money. It has also been frequently said that had Mr John Bryce been elected last election he would have been Premier, and Sir Harry Atkinson would have been left out in the cold. Sir Harry favors Protection, Land Nationalisation, and other extensions of State functions. He has said that there is no limit to the functions of the State, while others hold the contrary view. He is thus guilty of political heresies which in the eyes of his Tory supporters are unpardonable. Haring the late elections not one of them tried to defend him; his very name was a by-word, the mention of which was sure to end in the electors rejecting the candidate j who had the temerity to support him; I be was the Pariah of politics, and if I he were to go to the country at present he would fare worse. It is evident from these facts that Sir Harry Atkinson’s term of power is drawing towards its close, and it appears to us that he himself recognises it. If elected next election, which is doubtful, he will not be selected as the leader of the Conservatives, if they can get anyone else to put in his place, and it is very doubtful whether the Liberals would have him as a leader. We had hopes all along that Sir Harry would end his career on the Liberal side, but the way he has behaved lately forces on us the conclusion that he is not likely to, and, what is more, that it is not desirable that he should He understands politics if any he. knows full well what man does; ' ’-*iou will have on effect present legisiu u ., f.hat in future legislatures. He know*.*, reducing the number of members he is throwing the power into the hands of the wealthy classes; that in the new J Representation Bill he is aiming at ( disfranchising half the working men of t the cities, while the wealthy men of i

cities still retain their accustomed voting. It is necesuary for us to ox plain this. T\u’ instance, Christchurch, and its suburbs have at present six members, but according to the new Eepresentation Bill these will be reduced to three members. This amounts to disfranchising half the electors of Christchurch and suburbs. Now the question is, Will the wealthy men suffer equally in proportion to the poor men.of the cities ? Of course not. almost without exception the wealthy men of cities own properties in rural districts. In virtue of these properties they will have votes, and thus what they lose iu the cities they will make up in the country. The reduction, therefore, plays directly into their hands. Sir Harry Atkinson is fostering their interests in every way he possibly can, and if he had the slightest notion of coming to the Liberal side he would not in this way cut a rod to whip his own back. Sir Harry Atkinson has no such intention, Ho knows he is, like Te Whiti’s potato, “cooked,” as regards the future, and he is no doubt anxious to do the best he can for himself. Just about the close of the present Parliament the Agent-Generalship will become vacant. Sir E. D. Beil has held the office now for three or four terms, and it is not likely that he will be reappointed, nor is it likely that he would accept is. The Conservatives will be returned stronger than ever to power, and for past services Sir Harry will be appointed A gent-General for the colony. This, of course, is speculative, but those who will watch events for the next couple of years will find that what we now say will prove true. There is no doubt but Sir Harry has earned the position. He has been the hack of the Conservative party for years, and the best thing they can do now is to provide a snug billet for him.