The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1889. The Split in the Cabinet.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3165, 28 March 1889, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1889. The Split in the Cabinet.

A sow of divine vengeance liai befallen Sir Harry Atkinson I When he nas engaged in the work of forming his present Ministry, he had to make a choice between Mr G. Beethom and Mr 6, Fisher. Mr Beethain's claims for Cabinet work were so strong that had he chosen to prefer them, even Sir Harry could not have passed them over; but the member for Masterton consented to waive hie right if Sir Marry Atkinson thought the difficulties of tho situation demanded 'another selection, The Premier was advised that the public would accept the retrenchment which was then contemplated better from the hands of a man like Mr George Fisher, who was supposed to be a comparatively poor man, than they would take it from the hands of a man like Mr G. Beetham, who, as the fruits of an industrious and selfsacrificing youth, had the reputation of possessing an independence. Sir Harry must have known that as far as character, trustworthiness, and experience went, Mr G. Beetham would make a -better and more creditable Minister than the clever Mr Fisher. He must have known that Mr George Fisher was a man about town, whose associations were not the associations which should appertain to the office, say, of a Minister of Education; but he truckled to popularity and, to use a sporting phrase, he, against his own better judgment, put his money on a cocktail. Now a somewhat singular state of affairs is reported in Wellington. Mr Fisher is supposed to have I misbehaved himself in Some way or other, and all the members of the Cabinet appear to' be anxious to make a Jonah of him. According to the New Zealand Times, the official ■ organ of the Ministry, " relations are strained between the Minister of 1 Education and his colleagues." This means a good deal, and when a delicate hint.is thrown out that Mr Fisher, instead of settling with his 1 colleagues quietly and decorously the ' matter at issue, is talking Cabinet ' secrets about the town, and taking, possibly, sweet counsel with the horny-handed lumpers to whom he is supposed to be attached, the matter Jias reached this stage that either Sir ) Harry must band over the reins to Mr George Fisher or.insist upon that gentleman getting off the Ministerial • coach. Sir Harry will have a bad time till he gets rid of his pugnacious and tenacious Minister of Education, but he really deserves his present trouble. He is simply reaping as he '. sowed, when he Baorificed political principle to -political expediency; when, for the sake of a temporary popularity, he gave a doubtful man precedence over perhaps the most trustworthy and experienced member of his party.