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Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2491, 28 June 1888, Page 2

The political situation is not what can be considered re-assuring ; on the contrary the aspect, is cloudy and disquieting. There are conflicting rumours from the seat of Government as to the enteintc cortliule existing between members of the Ministry, and the impression is gaining ground that some of its members are to be sacrificed in order to efl'cct a reconstruction of the Cabinet. The old distrust of the Premier i 3 gathering shape. Sir H. Atkinson is familiar with the expedient of jettisoning colleagues, who no longer serve his purpose, in order to retain place and power, and it is excusable that the fear of his again adopt similar tactics should be now entertained. He has so entirely ruptured party ties during this session and gone over to the camp of the Protectionists and Opposition, that confidence in him has been much shaken. He may possibly be unjustly criticised, and he may have no intention to act disloyally to his colleagues, or of forestalling a downfall by retreating into the calm waters of the Agency General. The fact, however, distinctly remains that he opposes further retrenchment to any important extent and has set his sonl exclusively on taxing the people to the utmost in order to raise revenue. The first article of his political creed is, belief in taxation. He is a veritable apostle of taxation, and nothing but taxation will he have. Sir Harry Atkinson, confident in a pliant majority of motley elements, is also disposed to pay little regard to public opinion, as his latest references to the Press indicate. In his opinion, the Press does not reflect the feeling of the couutry. In this respect he is, apparently, becoming Bismarekiati. But the truth is that Sir H. Atkinson forms a connecting link with a past re;/hue whose history is odious to the people, and its perpetuation in any form is a thing heartily prayed against. A complete change in the personnel of parties is most dgsirable in view of tho present condition of affairs, and until that change is effected, we can have but little hope of a complete reform. The old order of things must pass away, and new men with new ideas must succeed on the political stage, to take control of the government of the country. The colony languishes and suffers not only from over-government, but from inherently bad government, from which there can be hardly any escape until new parlies arc formed on well-defined lines that will reverse the old and obnoxious regime. It may be asked, where are we to fiud such men ? Who can replace those now in office? To this we reply, as all past history proves, that in the hour of need the man fitted for the occasion is always found forthcoming at the right time. The people themselves must first make their will known, and display a resolute desire for that reform and economy in our whole system of public administration whiMi is tacitly acknowledged as necessary. The disposition of members now assembled in the work of legislation, is one of luke wannness on the question of economy and retrenchment ; that is to say, they will deal with this matcer, so pregnant with importance to the well being of the colony, in a perfunctory manner. Unless the people now show that the "roar" for more substantial savings in the cost of governing them is other thau mere sound, the session will terminate without the work being done.