A NEW INTRIGUE.

Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 43, 19 August 1884, Page 2

A NEW INTRIGUE.

Who, we wonder, will consent to act the part of the cat, and pull the chestnuts out of the fire for Major Atkinson and Sir Geoege Geet to munch ? Neither of thoso astute gentlemen is prepared to assume the responsibility of leading a straightforward attack on the Ministry, by moving an amendment on the Address, and some " independent " member is to be put up to do it. No doubt Mr. Wakeftjeld would be quite as willing so attack the present Government as ho was to attack the last one, but Major Atkinson is not likely to regard his oilers more favourably than the caucus of the late Opposition did lost session. For Mr. Wakkfielb to lead a successful attack would, of course, mean that he would be in the new Ministry, and that would hardly suit either Sir Geoeoe Geet or Major Atkinson. Somebody who can be had at a less price will no doubt be put up to do the job, and then, as Major Atkinson's organ neatly puts the case, "it would be too much to expect him and his followers to refrain from voting against the present Ministry if a vote of want of confidence were seriously moved." We are quite prepared to see the familiar, but by no means dignified, game played, and the natural leaders of party shirking their proper responsibility and hiding behind a puppet while they pull the strings. It is industriously rumoured that Major Atkinson does not care {or office, and would be glad of a rest. This is all nonsense. Office is almost a necessity to him, for he has enjoyed power so long that he is sure to be most unhappy when excluded from it. He will, we aro confident, eagerly grasp the first opportunity of regaining office at any price, and to do it he will, like Abtemtjs Waed, be prepared to shed every drop of his brother s blood — that is, if he gets back he will not at all care whether his late colleagues get back with him or not. Rumour has it now that the Major aspires to the rdle of guide, philosopher, and friend to the young New Zealand party in the House, and that if entrusted with the formation of a new Ministry he would seek the aid of Mr. Daboaville, Mr. Tole, Mr. Seddon, Mr. Htjesthoote, and others coming under the description of "new blood. That a combination between Major Atkinson and Mr. Dasoatille would be a more incongruous one than that between Mr. Stout and Sir Jraros Vogel matters nothing. Now, with every desire to see " new blood " on the Ministerial benches, wo would not like to see Major Atkinson installed there at th'o head of a Ministry of political fledglings. Such, however, is the prospect which is being held out to catch votes. That a sufficient number will be caught to givo effect to the scheme may, however, well be doubted.