MR ORMOND AS LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3084, 16 May 1881, Page 3

MR ORMOND AS LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

The Taranaki Herald has the following in reference to the probabilities of Mr Ormond becoming leader of the Opposition during the coming session : —"Whether Mr Ormond is the coming man who is to give them notice to quit in order that a stronger Government may take their place it is difficult at present to say. There is no more capable man in the House, nor better practical administrator. Like most men—even great men—he has his defects. As an opponent he is sometimes too bitter in his attacks, but it is only on rare occasions his speeches give tho impression of any personal feeling. Even on these rare occasions he may be justified in the use of strong language, as he is urged by a strong sense of public duty. When he takes off the gloves, and has an opening, he deals blows of a very damaging character, and of very telling effect. His arguments are clear and forcible, given with all the effect of personal conviction, and he never addresses the House unless he has something to say worth listening to. As a possible leader of a party, he has one defect—if defect it can be called; that is, though thoroughly respected as a member, and possessing great weight in tho House, he cannot be called popular, because he is somewhat reticent in manner, and has that absence of gushing friendship with which so many politicians are gifted by nature, or can so readily put on. It is no doubt an unfortunate circumstance that nature did not endow him with greater flexibility of features, if she intended him for a political leader. We have often seen ability of the sterner sort go to the wall, even in a deliberative assembly when competing for leadership with a rival, his infinite inferior, but who possesses that inestimable gift of distributing ample doses of captivating blarney. But there is a time when blarney palls on the tastes even of senators, and we think the time has nearly arrived. Under these circumstances Mr Ormond may succeed in securing a following sufficient to carry such large measures as the country requires. This will not be during next session—it will be after a new Parliament has met. Perhaps a dissolution will take place. But whether it is by dissolution or by more effluxion of time, an aDpeal to the country is the only hope of a strong Government being secured. We have no doubt that if Mr Ormond succeeds in convincing the country that he is the proper leader, a Government could be formed by him that would fairly represent tho desires of the majority of the people of the country, and secure a majority in Parliament to enable such measures to be carried as the country urgently requires before that Arcadian period arrives which is called { political rest.'