POLITICAL NEWS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4078, 16 August 1884, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

[by telegraph.]

(From our Special Correspondent.) Wellington, This day,

All day yesterday there have been any number of semi-private meetings going on, but no concerted action has yet been agreed nrion, or if ajrreod upon the results have not been allowed"to transpire In this manner tho Southland and Wcstland members, as well as the staunchest followers of Major Atkinson, have been killing time, but I do not suppose anything definite will be fixed on till Monday, or, what is still more probable, the day before the amendment is proposed, and in consequence of this want of action opinions arc greatly divided as to what Avill be the result, but the advantage of time is in favor of the incoming men._ The report that Captain Morris has joined the Ministry has been in everybody's mouth, but apparently the fear of that nice red felt hat becoming his property docs not lead to confidence, though it is a beautiful piece of work that would fetch a trifle at a bazaar, as tho way that :t is crcwclled is a real work of art.

The Evening Post is responsible for tho statement that the Atkinson party purpose nominating Mr Rolloston as Chairman of Committees. My opinion is that, no matter who may be nominated, Mr Steward is safe for tho position. One good turn apparently deserves another. Tom Bracken is going to lcavo Dunedin for Wellington, and so, to squnrc the matter, Mr Hutchison shortly leaves Wellington for Duncdiu. The latter town apparently has not got the best of tho bargain. Tho Christclmrcli Press had a bitter article the other day against Mr Stout as Premier, and tho Star (Christchurch) now gives tho retort neat by describing Mr Wakefield as an unscrupulous young- politician and journalist. Strenuous endeavors have been made to induce Mr Shcchan to accept a seat in the Legislative Council, but these overtures have been peremptorily rejected. The matter has now assumed a new phaso, and strong representations aro being made to him requesting him to accept a seat in that Chamber for tho session only, so that he might assume office. Tho result has not yet? transpired, though it is understood that it is not unlikely that this course may be followed.

At yesterday's meeting of Major Atkinson's followers things were very lively, as a difference of opinion existed as to whether the new Ministry should be allowed a trial or promptly discarded. I understand that Major Atkinson thinks it his duty to allow tho new team to unfold their policy and give them a fair trial, but this does not meet with general acceptance, and the majority were in favor of an immediate attack. To this course there are six dissentients, who firmly say if the course be pursued they will support Sir Julius Vogel. Of those" six I am not at liberty at present to give their names, though one of them is a prominent member of the Ministry, but not the Premier. To save Sir Julius Vogel from defeat those six must be joined by four more, so that it is probable'that the Ministry are not likely to last long. Mr Stout arrives from tho South to-day, and scribes will be flying round to find out when the swearing in takes place. They can be sworn in, and do the other thing—l would liko to add other words, but tho Telegraph regulations forbid. I have seen a deal of politics in my time, but it has been reserved for a colonial ultra-Radical Premier to drag things in the dirt, and for nearly a week in a crisis has the country aAvaitod His Serene Highness's pleasure, while ho went South to attend to a pettifogging law case. Such is Liberalism.