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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 6034, 29 December 1890, Page 2

The resolution to convene Parliament for the despatch of business at the end of January (the Dunedin Star says) has evidently much disconcerted Mr Bailanoe, who foresees a possible death blow to his hopes in the determination of tho present issue by the assembled representatives of tho people. What would of course have suited him best would have been the immediate resignation of Ministers, bj that he might personally: have been able to call to himself such colleagues as ho chose, with four clear months before him to fix up matters before meeting Parliament, which he most assuredly would not have called together before tbe end of April. The dream was a pleasant one, could it only have been realised ; but fortunately Sir Harry Atkinson knew his duty to the country better than—without a distinct expression of opinion by the House—to Rive up into such hands the trust confided to him. The course which would have been pursued may well be surmised. We. have bad experience of i Mr Ballanco ih power beforo under far more ! favorable conditions ; and as he would have been on this occasion bound by no principles, tied by no polioy, and restrained by no considerations even of party, there would have beon little scruple as to the means adopted to secure a tenure of office. He is an accomplished chess player, knowing what it is to be checkmated ; and this he as muoh as admits is now his position, although; through his chosen lieutenants in the citic* of the South he still continues to bluster and bluff, boasting his big majority and the wonderful things he is going to do when tho House does meet. The utterances of angry men may charitably be received with duo allowanco ; but nothing can excuse the tone adopted recently by Mr Ballance's organ in reference to the Premier, whose shoes, politically, the member for Wanganui is not worthy to unloose.