POLITICAL NEWS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4080, 19 August 1884, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

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(FnoJi ovn Special Cojirksi'Ondknt.) Wellixuton, This day.

The uncertainty Avhich prevailed all last week us to whether the Ministry Avas to be formed now exists with regard to Avhclher any amendment shall be at once proposed to turn them out, and I think that uncertainty will prevail until after the Address in Reply has been moved, because many are in favor of giving the new men a trial; but, then, njraiiist thsit there are so iniiny impetuous men opposed to them that there is no saying but one of these may promptly take the bull by the horns, and if that be done, and the matter precipitated, there is no saying but that Aye may be at once rushed into a warm fight. My own opinion is that no quarter Avill be given, and the only thing to be said against that is the fact that many men are averse to at once bringing the old Atkinson Government back. If there Avas a decent interval that Ministry Avould bo reconstructed very

differently to what it Avas, and thus give satisfaction to those avlio are not inclined to follow entirely on the old lines.

Much adverse criticism has been indulged in at the expense of tho New Zealand Times, as Monday's issue contained a brutal attack on Mr Stout by the way of a Governor's speech, which was as heavy as might be expected from such a quarter, and could not impose on anyone. Ex-Judge Fenton is the promoter of a private bill to enable tbe natives to make grants of land in aid of the Rotorua railway, but I Avas able to wire you on Monday that ho Avould he found in the Council before the Aveek Avas out, and I Inu-c no reason to Avithdraw that statement, though it has been contradicted, as it Avas last week, when at least it Avas premature, even if it Avas not mi re guesswork. It does not rest on such a foundation this time. Capt. Morris, at, 12 o'clock to-day, was sworn in as a Minister, and thus the vacant portfolio has been filled and tho team is completed, and once more peace reigns in the lobbies, though I cannot say men are contented or pleased either. Tho Ministry profess that their prospects have very much improved the last few days, though I myself venture to doubt that such is the case. Parliament was formally opened to-day by the Governor at 2 o'clock, the Council Chamber, in which, as usual, the ceremony took place, being filled by an eager and interested crowd of spectators all anxious to

acquire the earliest inkling into the policy of the new team, and truly their curiosity must havo greatly exceeded their prudence if they for one moment imagined there Avas much to bo learned from that document, which is supposed to foreshadow the drift of that which Avill be the legislation for tho session. What is likely to be done is seldom found in such a moment, Avhilo, if the padding be excised, and tbe generalities divided, we get nothing left. To-day tho Chamber was crowded with the wealth and

beauty, and I might say intellect of the Empire City. The Avealth Avas there because of the gorgcousne.ss of the spectacle, Avhich is supplied nearly entirely by the spectators, Avho seem to vie Avith each other as to avlio will reflect the greatest amount of display on tho occasion. The beauty —and of course by beauty I refer to tho female loveliness—was there because tho Avealth was there, because fashion dictates that it is proper to be there, and, for the best of all reasons, because our neighbors arc there. Thointellect was there because it is necessary that it should be. Wealth declares the spectacle a pleasant one, beauty thinks it charming but slow, while tho intellectual portion votes it a bore and a nuisance, something to bo endured, because it cannot be aA'oided. Such is life as viewed from three totally different standpoints. To-day Avas in no respect different to < ither days of the same sort, and I for one was heartily glad Avhen it Avas all over and done with, as there is really little to see, though you arc crushed in a manner Avhich, though it maybe unintelligible to many, can be perfectly understood by those avlio attempted to vote at tho hisl Napier election between tho hours of 10 and 11 o'clock, of Avhich I have a perfect recollection ; and, therefore, Avhen others complained to-day of the UAvful crushing, they thought mc satirical, though I Avas speaking truthfully, Avhen I voted it comparatively comfortable. The Governor read the speech brilliantly Avith those sharp incisive tones he always uses Avhen reading a document, and which, is very different to

his utterances Avhen ho has not a set speech, Avhen he is apt to ramble and stutter a deal,

and docs not shine as lie did to-day, when his elocution was admirable.