The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Ressurexi. THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 1884.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4866, 14 August 1884, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Ressurexi. THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 1884.

The most admiring partisans of Major Atkinson and his Ministry bave apparently come to the conclusion that the principal reason the late administration received its conge arose 'more from a desire to get rid of the party in power than from any disagreement with its politics. There is not a doubt tbat where thick and thin'suppcrters of a party recognise such a necessity, some very cogent reasons for a | change must exist. It would seem rational, whin considering colonial prosperity; arid ignoring the proverbial selfishness of politician's—more particularly those in office—that it would be paramount with those viho are entrusted with its care, to look to its interests, yet we see wrangling, disputing, and scrambling -for office going on amongst those to whom are entrusted our best interests; upon whom the country 1 depends for healthy, legislation ; and tho actions--of v whom will to a large extent influence our fortunes and welfare, .at least for a certain time lo come. It is of course to be deprecated tbat a strong Southern party has even pro tempore assumed the reins of government, as the probability is tbat out of session, that party may be lavish in its outlay in j the South Island, while neglecting the North ; but, it must be remembered 1 that there is an Assembly to authorise votes, and items of any importance must go through the Parliamentary cucible before being passed for execution. The necessity -of a change in the personnel of the Atkinson Ministry has been betraying itself for ft corsiderable time, and had a [ healthy and well-advised reconstruction ! been attempted last session, a great deal of the country's time would not hove been wasted as it has been, and legislation would bave progressed instead of its place being occupied by a hunt for portfolios. The consideration of the colonial weal seems to have been made subservient to this seeking for power and pay, and it is lima a most effectual stop were put to it. We are now threatened with another battle for the possession of emoluments and office, which is bound to result in a delay of useful legislation, and an outlay of no inconsiderable amount, which, of course, will come from the taxpayer. This state of things cannot be reasouably expected to last, withoutarousing some expression of indignation,on the part of tho electors It is a matter of regret that the repre sentatives of the-people forget those who have sent them to the' Councils of the country as soon as "they "are 'elected, and that they will not aot for the welfare of the colony, whose fortunes are almost in their hands, and whose interests they'are, in the interim, custodians of. Some reform j of the Legislature will be requisite unless i the farcial method adopted recently of changing Ministries be used in combination with a greater appreciation of the virtues of the system provided, and with an idea of carrying out the intentions of its iaaugurators.