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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5425, 15 January 1889, Page 2

Fou more than a quarter of a century politics in New South Wales have been dominated by two men, Sir John Jtobcrtson and Sir Heury Parkos. The former lias now abandoned the political arena, while tho latter has just retired from office, it being more than hinted that ho did so, so lln.t lie might get rid of Homo ot his eolleayncw. No Ministry for the period stated, with hut one oxception—that of tho Into Kir A. Htimrl— has been ahlo to stand for any lengthened period that did not contain one or other of the two political knight*. Sir Henry Parkos has occupied in Now South Wales politics a position which no other man has ever secured, and it m difficult to see how tho Ministry just formed by Mr. Dibbs can last. Tho last general election resulted iv the return of a large majority of Free Traders, and to lead them there was no other man available but Sir Henry Parkcs. Now South Wales has boasted of greater orators than Sir Henry—tho lato Mr. Dulley for instance—hut the influence of tho former bus completely overshadowed every lesser light. At one time there was no more pronounced Free Trader than Mr Dibbs, that was when he was Sir A. Stuart's Treasurer, but at tho last general election ho announced himself as v Protectionist. Strangely enough, he represents a squatting constituency. The new Attorney-General is a comparatively young man, but young as ho is, he was formerly Speaker in tho House of Representatives Mr Fletcher is the proprietor of tho Newcastle Chronicle, and, like several of tho other now Ministers, has boon in office before. As to the likelihood of such a Ministry being able to command a majority, strong men though they be, Sir Henry Parkes has such n following that it must bo extremely doubtful. MrDibbs, as leader of tho Opposition, was so weak and vacillating that if ho provo a good leader on tho Ministerial benches ho must considerably astonish even his staunchost friends. Tho new Premier at one tirao was a prisoner for twelvemonths, through fuill ing to pay tho costs of un action" in the Supreme Court.