Summary of the Month.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4844, 19 July 1884, Page 4

Summary of the Month.

The all engrossing' topic in Iho public mind just nowjs the coming genprnl elcc tion> which takes placp on- the 22nd inst. Sinco tho dissolution various forces have been developed, and almost incredible alliances spoken of. A somewhat unfortunate feeling of North y. South is being , fostered by some interested, candidates. This jyill not have any serious effect on ' v the result of the elections, but will cau«e o unpleasantness and bitterness in many in- , instances, arousing feelings of antagonism " .between.the, two islands, wbicb. are nnnecessary, arid the only result of which „ could bejnjury.vtp the colony geuerally. „ Sir Julius-Vogel has* decided to stand for a , Canterbury—South Island—Qonstitiiency, and it appears A that the worthy , jknight-has, by announcing his candidature, somewhat scared many of tho mem- ., berg, of parties which existed'in the late Parliament-It appears that the members of the,present administration are somewhat . afraid of >tbe second adrentof'Sir Julius . to New Zealand politics, perhaps fearing that the* powerful combination, which in -the new house is almost certain to rally .-"round him, will hare the effect of spoiling •the" chance- of 1 any of their number of returning'to the 1 Treasury benches, even as .part of a Coalitipn Ministry ; and the - Opposition party, or parties, have proba^ bly the idea' that the same combination will interfere with tjboir accession to office. " There is little doubt that if' a threatened'coalition of Major Atkihson"and Sir GeV. • Grey,; with, of: course, -their respective « followers, does not take~place,-Sir Julius . Vogel, if. ireturned, and that „event is looked upon as tolerably certain—working with such men as Messrs Stout, Kichardson, and Ormoad, who are all candidates ! at the forthcoming.election,—wou!d be a v Very: formidable party, and be sure togajn ,a, strong following in the House. In our district the contest for the. representation of the place promises to bo a close one ; vit isconfined to two candidates—Colonel Fraser, an old resident, and a popular ''man, and Mr W. J- Speight,'who at one • " lime, represented an .Auckland constituency, and has a number of friends in ' our district; both men have been long resident here.