The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1885.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5172, 14 August 1885, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1885.

" Long threatening comes at last." During the present session of Parliament the House has been from time to time promised, or perhaps it would be more correct to say threatened with, numerous rotes of want:of-confidence in the Ministry, but for some occult reason not one of these rumors has been verified by such a vote being moved. Now, however,/ various sections of the press, more particularly northern portions of it, are full of statements that a more compact state of things exists, and that hitherto disagreeing sections of the representative chamber seem to have sunk old differences, and cow present less disintegration than was evidenced no longer than a month ago. It partakes Somewhat of the marvellous to be placed in a position to perceive a combination possessing such incongruous elements as Major Atkinson and Mr Ormond, but to have conceived any section of the House following either or both of those gentle* men, obtaining the support of Sir, George Grey is almost beyond wonder. Notwithstanding all this, it would appear that these three members with their respective followings have almost agreed to regard the present Ministry in the light of a common enemy, and have determined to wage war against it accordingly. What the ultimate outcome of such a movement—should it be made — would be, it is indeed difficult to conjecture, but there is little reason to doubt that the downfall of the party in power is by no means an improbability. There is everything in favor—should such a thing eventuate —of Messrs Ormond and Atkinson being ultimately associated with the formation of a new Cabinet, and doubtless the worthy Kawau knight would resume his place in the House as a free lance. The Government have much to blame themselves for in connection with the position they at present occupy ; having taken up an advanced position and enunciated a boll and vigorous policy, they should not have, in the way they did, retreated from it step by step until their policy remained only a thing of shreds and patches. Better for them, would it have been, that they had maintained a firmer front, and even if defeat had come owing to their stand, they would have leftoffice with a superior record and a much better chance of re-as-suming it, than they have a show of doing now. Many mistakes have been made, and to remedy some of them, further and greater errors have been fallen into. Much may nevertheless be placed to their credit, and should a change be inevitable, we must express the hope that the country will have as their executive not less capable men.