SUMMARY FOR EUROPE.

Press, Volume XL, Issue 5830, 21 May 1884, Page 2

SUMMARY FOR EUROPE.

POLITICAL SUMMARY, j i

—"" — I Thb past four weeks have boen charao i terised by an increased amount activity. Not on]y have the members of tbe Ministry Leon doing what they could to place themselves in better relations with the electors, but their opponents have . teen equally zealous. In our last monthly j summary we gave a short outline of the ' speech of the Premier delivered before his ' constituents. Since then Major Atkinson has addressed public mtetings in the chief centres of population He commenced at Dunedin en the 24th of April; spoke next in Christchurch three days afterwards; followed a week later by an address in "Wellington; winding up with a speech to the electors of Auckland on 2&8.J 19th. It cannot be said, however, that Major Atkinson's tour has done his Government the service which it might have been expected to accomplish. That lie did himself and his colleagues some good cannot be doubted. Bat he has failed to restore confidence in his Administration, to allay apprehension, or remove misapprehension. On the contrary, he has created a widespread impression that Ministers are in a state of bewilderment as to public affairs, and that tbe reason why he has not disclosed his policy is,because he has no definite policy to disclose. Beyond tbe little he told his constituents at Hawera, he has said nothing since to give the country any clearer ideas of his policy than they knew before. His speech in Christchurch, nevertheless, was a splendid display of trained political skill, contending with a rude and unmannerly multitude. As was expected, he met with a very hostile reception at the hands of the public of this city. He was received with strong disapproval, and his speech was frequently interrupted by lively and disgraceful demonstrations on the part of the audience. In such circumstances, of course, the Premier had all the best of it, and his opponents, instead of injuring the Government, only succeeded in damaging themeelvea. A week later, Mr. Montgomery addressed another meeting of the elect-ora of Christchurch. The proceedings were intended to Toe a demonstration on the part of the would-be leader of the Opposition against the Government. The speech -was therefore largely occupied with a criticism of Major Atkinson's administration, and an examination of some of his proposals. Mr. Montgomery also sought to enunciate the policy -which he would submit were he called upon to administer the affairs of the colony. He would have shown more wisdom had he been a little more guarded ir the language he employed. Unfortunately for him, it was announced that Sir Geosgi dsxT had determined to pay the chid centres of population a visit, and the mem her for Akaroa was resolved, it woul< seem, to anticipate his projects. But he i - mo match for his opponent in the creatioi of policies meant for ornament and not fo use. In his baste to make it quit «*lear what it was he intended t do, Mr. Montgomiet only succeeded ii committing himself to a series of proposal! any one of which is sufficient to ruin hii prospects as a leader. His views regard ing the confiscation of uncultivated land _. and that owned by absentees, his adhesion to financial separation, and his advanced views on the subject of the protection of local industries, showed how incapable he is of administering the affairs of this country. In our last monthly summary we gave a short outline of his policy, and need not repeat it here, and have only to add that all that he did was to reiterate these opinions in still more explicit language. Sir Gxobgs Gket, who followed Mr. Montgomery a few days after met with a most enthusiastic reception at the hands of the public meeting which assembled in the Tuam street TTgii to hear bis address. The speech was only another illustration of the effect Sir Gsososcan produce on a non-critical audience when he makes up bis mind to charm them. He said nothing which would bear the slightest critical examination. His speech was an impaanoW appeal to fes vprilZa P IBBB6B 3£unst the owners of property, T* full of inisrepre&entatlon. But when he sat down he had the meeting entirely with him, and he had au> difficulty in securing an enthusiastic vote in his favor. His programme, such as it was, nevertheless left his hands entirely free for the future. The only thing which could be described as a proposal was his schema for the taxation of the unearned increment, and even regarding this matter he was careful to speak only in general term?. But he contrived nevertheless to produce the impression that lie was the real leader of the Liberal party, and that Mr. Montgomeey's efforts to take that position must have only one result. In the midst of these proceedings, Sir Juiius Vooxz. has appeared upon the scene. After remaining quietly in Dunedin for several weeks he has at length been persuaded to make a movement. In consequtnee of the resignation tf Mr McDonJU.D, the East Coast seat has become vacant, and at the request of a number of the electors. Sir Julius has issued an •address. Its appearance has given fresh interest to the political situation, and baa shown that there are still a number of people in the colony who are willing to give their support to a leader who in times past called forth so much enthusiasm. "The main features of his programme ere, the removal of the property tax, the completion of unfinished railways, the improvement of the local government system, the promotion of useful immigration, and the development of settlement. In other words the remedy ■srfcieh he proposes for the existing state of depression is the renewal of borrowing on *a extensive scale, and the removal of all taxation likely to interfere with the value of property. We do not believe, nevertheless, that the electors of New Zealand are prepared to resort to the hazardous expedient for escaping from present s, which such a policy would in■volre. If Sir J uxrus is elected—and there is tome doubt even upon this point—be may get a certain amount of support, but ■we do not believe that fee will be able to place himself at the head of anything like a large party. We hope that the advocates of prudence have at length secured tbf ear of a majority of the electors. This view is fitrengthed by tbe fact that Mr. "Waxefield's speech, delivered at Leeston the other <tey, has "produced a very favorable impression throughout the country. It expressed, we believe, th* feeling of a large and increasing number of the electors, who are looking anxiously round for light and leading in

the present crisis. In it, Mr. Wakkfteld, ;, in elegant language, ccndemnM« ; the/Gov- * eminent, 1(&C Most- 5 gomeby's and Sir? Gbjob&e Gbkt*s, con- c fiscation scheraea of* land taxation, and put r J the case again?t further borrowing in a t ; clear and convincing light. In addition 1 to tne speeches we have been discussing there have been a host of other addresses, j 'to which we need not now refer. There ( ! have also been one or two resignations, the j j most notable one being that of Mr E. G. 1 * Wright, the member for Ashburton. The • I disappearance of this gentleman from the House, under existing circumstances, is to ] be regretted. His aptitude for business, < and his ability and industry, pointed him out as a Minister in the immediate future. j The announcement that he has been comi pelled to retire from active politics on account of his health has been received . with very general expressions of regret on tbe part n> t ocly of his friends, but of his political opponents.