The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, JULY 2, 1888. THE MINISTERIAL DEFEAT

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2939, 2 July 1888, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, JULY 2, 1888. THE MINISTERIAL DEFEAT

The Ministry were defeated on Friday last somewhat unexpectedly, but not altogether undeservedly. Thanks to the support of the Opposition, they have carried their-tariff policy, but before putting the final seal on their great work, before registering an irrevocable third reading on the Bill, thoy desired to pass their estimates. Of course, if they once obtained supply, the dangers of the session, its perils, its middle party" Scylla," and its opposition" Oharybdis," would be virtually navigated. The Opposition, however, were not prepared to allow the Government to make a game of this kind, but wanted the Customs Bill settled first, and the estimates brought on afterwards, The Government would not yield the point, and on a division wove badly beaten, The Premier has now declared that he will make the estimates the first order of the iky—to-morrow—and if the House won't go on with them, he will " consider his position," which means that he will resign. It- is a question whether either of the three parties now in tho House want Sir Harry Atkinson to resign at tin's particular juncture. The small but compact consent which wliioli is devoteiHo the Ministry, does not want to turn them out. The middle party, which thinks a good deal of John Bryee and retrenchment, does not want to eject Sir Harry at tho present time, and thirdly and lastly, the Opposition cannot afford to turn out the Ministry with the third reading of the Customs Duties Bill hanging in the balance. The Opposition, too, could not without some seuso of shame turn out a Ministry which lias done such great tilings for them, nor could they, if they did agree to rip up their benefactors, come to an understanding amongst themselves as to which of the patriots who compose their phalanx, should take the Ministerial portfolios. It is easier for them to pull together when they havo no plunder to divide, It is probable, therefore, that the diflloulty of Friday last will be arranged. Sir .Harry Atkinson will pass tho third reading of tho Customs Bill for the Opposition, and the Opposition will give him some necessary help over tho estimates. A Ministerial change is not needed by tho country or by the Opposition, The sweets of office now are not as alluring as they used to be, and the extreme readiness Sir Harry displays to consider his pDsition is a sign that ho is willing to let another set of men try their hands at the disagreable work upon which lie is now engaged. Woaro disposed to believe that Sir Harry will pull through tho session without having to resign, but ho will be fearfully worried and badgered by a middle party which desire more retrenchment, and by tho Opposition, who will doubtless havo other fish to fry when the Customs whale is despatched. Our sympathies are with Sir Harry Atkinson. It is true he held a candle to the devil when ho formed his present Ministry, but he has done tho Colony good service during his subsequent tenure of office, and we want him to complete .tho work of retrenchment and re-organi-sation which is now so far advanced,