Political Notes.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 6024, 15 December 1890, Page 2

Political Notes.

The present crisis is, we feel sure, viewed with general regret, because it inflicts defeat upon tho foremost of our politicians who haa done us such exoollent service so unselfishly and so unsparingly. Had he devoted the same high character and powerful qualities, the same shrewdness and persevering alertness of industry to any other career he would have made for himself a fortune as well as a name. There are ronn in various countries whooontrive to make politics a lucrative profession. Sir Hurry is not of the number. Never has he done a thing during his whole oareer for himself. The game of politics he has played for his side with all his might, in a manner which haß often laid him open to the criticism of his opponents. But no one, not even the fiercest of his opponents, has ever hinted against, him a charge of selfseeking. Whatever else he has not got in politics, Sir Harry has his broken health; and over and above that he has his honorable record. He comes out of tfte press with honor to face the hour of disaster to his fortunes. Whatever decision the Premier and his colleagues arrive at, this cannot be forgotten. We may differ radically with the man who has done bo much for his adoptedcountry. We may oppose his views and theirs on the subject of resignation. But one thing wo cannot do. We cannot refuse to continue to pay respect to the high character and sense of honor which have loft'their mark upon Sir Harry Atkinson's career Wo may feel perfeotly certain that tho rocsons actuating his conduct are in his judgment the very best possible, however much wo may dissent from those reasons.— N.Z. Times.

THE PROBABLE COURSE OF EVENTS. Yesterday afternoon the Cabinet devoted about an hour and a half to discussion and consideration of the position, and the courso Ministers should take. The members of iho Government present were the Premier, Sir Frederick Win taker, Mr Stevens. Mr Mitchelson, Mr Fergus, Mr Richardson, and Captain Russell. The official statement of the result is that nothing is yet decided, that the Cabinet will meet again to-day, and that until Monday there will bo no'actual deoision as to tbe policy of the Government. Tho Governor will return to Wellington to-night, and will bo waited upon by his Ministers on Monday. In a very few days, at any rate, we shall know exactly what tho Government intends to do, and as a matter of fact there is little, if any, room for doubt on the subject just now. The Government prorose to ask His Excellency to summon Parliament to meet early next month. Whether or not the Governor will agreo to do that remains to bo seen, of course. The positiou taken up by tho Ministerial party with respect to tho familiar " constitutional question" is that tho Govern-., ment are acting in a constitutional manner in asking the Governor to call Parliament; together early next month. Tho friends of tho Government say that the two English "precedents" do not apply, because in each of these cases the Ministry were defeated in the House before the elections

took place. The Ministry in tho present case, it is contended, were not so defeated; they wore appointed by Parliament, Parliament has not cancelled the and to Parliament only can Ministers return what was plaood in their hands. In the event of Parliament meeting next month, it is probable that the session would he a very short one, the business being confiHed to the election of a Speaker and the formation of a Ministry. It is admitted that apparently there is a small majority against the Government as at present constituted, and it is to be presumed that suoh being the case Ministers would resign aa soon as the House met. The question naturally presents itself whether the present Ministerial party would begin to mako things unpleasant for Mr. Ballance aa soon as he formed his ■mbinet.. It seems to be felt that this would notbesoy but that Mr. Ballance would be given time> to formulate his policy, and that if he asked for two or threo months for that purpose it would bo given him. Assuming, then, that the Governor accedes to the request whioh it is tolerably certain the Govornment will make to him, this will bo the course of events: Parliament will meet about tho 14th or loth of next month, the members will bo sworn in; a speaker will bo elected ; the Government will resign ; someone having been sent for and having formed a Ministry, will ask for and bo given time in which to formulate and bring down a policy ; and Parliament will bo prorogued, to meet again about April at the latest. The Ministerial party, in any case, aro very confident. Thoy claim to be in a minority of only two or threo, and consider it quite"poßsiblo that they will he in a majority when things settle a little bit and tho doubtf uls are allocated either on one side or tho other. _ ~-,-.„ It is quite certain that Mr Ballance is oqually confident Indeed, the man in the street has already chosen tho new Ministry, aud it will be made up thus:—Mr Ballaiico (Premier and Treasurer), Mr Cadman, Mr Seddon (Mines), Mr J. McKenzie (Lands), Mr Perceval (Mr W. P. Reeves's business engagements preventing him from taking office) ; and in the Legislative Council, Mr Buokley as Attorney-General. As to the Speakership, nothing can be decided or arrangod just yet. Mr Rolleston is the favorite, so far, but it is quite possible that tho Opposition will put up Major. Steward.—N.Z. Times.