The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1883.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 4126, 24 September 1883, Page 2

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1883.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For tha wrong that needs resistance, For ihe futuro in the distance, And tho good Mmt wa can do.

The retirement of tho Premier, the Hon. Mr Whitaker, was several times predicted during the session, and as often denied. His resignation comes therefore somewhat as a surprise. It has lone: been known that Mr Whitakor's personal wishes inclined him to tho quietude of private life, and that he has only been kept in harness by party ties. For tho last forty yoars Mr Whitaker has participated, more or less actively, in public life, and, though mentally and physically ho displays that remarkable vigour and endurance which so strikingly distinguishes tho old age of many of the leaders of political thought and action in Europo, tho care.* and worries of otlice, aggravated by a strong disinclination to reside away from Auckland, where the best years of his lifo havo beon spent, have led him to desire rest. He has held the reins of power long enough to give his coHeagues time to feol their feet, add retires at the close of a session, during which hi." Cabinet held so pronounced a majority that their position was never challenged. The situation is one that any man might covet as an honourable ending to his public career, and if, as is reported, the resignation of the Premiership virtually marks Mr Whitaker'si withdrawal from public life, he ha-5 chosen for that event a time when no ono may challenge the voluntariness of his retirement.

Major Atkinson naturally succeeds to the leadership and has earned tho distinction by the tact and ability that hare marked his management of tho party in tho Lower House. Tho succession to tno vacant portfolio is not so easily determined. Tho Cabinet cannot ignoro the claims of Auckland, and thoir choice is limited to their own supporters in tho House, unless they choot-c a member of the Legislative Council, which would bo very distasteful to the Auckland party. In the latter case probably Dr. Pollon would be selected, but we do not regard this as at all likely. Tho Government will endeavour to supply their want of a leader in the Lords when Mr Johnston goes to England as Agent-General, and if thoy can manage it, Sir Dillon Bell will be tho coming man. Thti Auckland supporters of the Government in the Lower Houso are Messrs Hurst, Peacock, P. A. Whitaker, Swanson, Whyte, Hobbs, Mitchelson, and Morris. Of these, we think tho choico must bo between Messrs Swanson, Whitaker, Peacock, and Hurst. Mr Swanson, might probably secure tho portfolio if he desired it, but ho has repeatedly declared his determination not to take offico. Aftor him tho threo other members selected, appear on various grounds to havo tho strongest claims, and also the best qualifications. Mr Whitaker arrived in the Hinemoa thisaftornoon, and tho duty of finally arranging the matter will doubtless have been left in his hands. A telegram from ourown correspondent this afternoon, states that, pending the appointment of another minister, Major Atkinson will merely submit to the Governor a re-arrangement of portfolios.