The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, JUNE 30, 1884. THE CONTINUOUS MINISTRY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1723, 30 June 1884, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, JUNE 30, 1884. THE CONTINUOUS MINISTRY.

Judging from the number of candidates before the electors of the Colony, there will be by the ordinary law of chances a very considerable number of new members in the House when it meets two months hence, It will be something satisfactory,, if,;'among the new comers appear some of the Parliamentary veterans who were left in the cold some three years ago. The Ministerial party has been the be3tand most reliable political organisation we have had in the Colony, but it was seriously weakened by the loss of many of its most capable members in 1881, Another blow which told heavily on it was the retirement of Sir John Hall. While this statesman was at the head the country had full confidence in it, His successor, Sir P. Whitaker, i managed to keep the party on its legs j for a couple of yours, .bub when he | went people, saw that the dofoat of the Ministry was only a question of time! Major Atkinson, though an admirable Colonial Treasurer is not a i good Premier. He was tried on a former occasion and found wanting, and the more often, lie. JH.Jried. .the more apparent Will bccome'the faofc of his incapacity With strong administrative powers, he lacks' the -higher qualities of intellect which\ are required in a statesman, and he .is unconscious of his. own deficiences in this respect.. It is extremely probabla that if a few Parliamentary veterans are returned during the present election, tlieir influence will be exercised to place Major Atkinson in such a position that his services to the colony may bo continued without relegating to him responsibilities for which he is unfitted. It is time for Major Atkinson to cease playirie; first fiddle, and to be contented with being second. If a good first fiddler like Sir Jolios Yogel can bo obtained, the Ministerial party will be able to take a new lease of power, and hold its own against the heterogeneous.oppoßition which will be returned at the coming election. What is termed the continuous ministry may still continue with advantage to the colony if such changes are effected in its ranks as will fit it for doing good service to the colony.