Evening Post. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1887.

Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue XXXIV, 16 September 1887, Page 2

Evening Post. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1887.

AN EXCiriVG PERIOD. 4. The next month will be one of the most politically exciting periods the colony has ever known. For the next ten days nothing will be talked of but the pending 1 elections, the nominations for which have now commenced. Ton days hence the great fight will come on, and the various returns will be awaited that night with the most intense anxiety. There never was an election in this colony in which the seats of so many leading man on both sides were in doubt and jeopardy. The Premier and the leader of the Opposition are both gravely threatened, and it is quite on the cards that one or both will fail to gain a seat. In England, or even in Victoria, a party disaster of this kind is easily remedied. In the former country tho elections are spread over a considerable period, and in the hitter they take place in soveral batches, with intervals of some days between thorn, so that if a prominent party man is beaten early in the elections, another seat ib generally found for him before the elections aro concluded. Here, however, as all the elections take pl&co on the same day, every man must stand the chance, and has only the one opportunity. No seat oan be vacated for him until Parliament meets If, therefore, the Premier should fail to socuro re-election, the Ministry would be at once disposed of. If Major Atkinson should be beatou, the new session would be well nigh over before ho could find another scat. But not only are the Boats of the Premier and tho leader of the Opposition in danger, but the Minister of Justice and tho Minister of Public Works are fighting a desperate battle for their political existence, and the Minister of Lands and the Minister of Mines aro said to be far from absolutely aecuro of ro-olection. Mr. Obmond also has a vigorous and dangerous opposition to overcome, and it is by no means a certainty that Sir Maurice O'Korke will bo sent back to the chamber over which he has so Ion? presided as Speaker. His district has been a good deal altered, and from various causes he seems to be much less popular in it than he used to be. His opponent is said also to be a good man. Other well-known membors on each Bide are also doubttnl as to securing re-election ; and it would really appear that Sir Julius Voqei., Sir John Hall, and Sir George Grey, are the only acknowledged leaders who are absolutely safe to be re-elected. Should the Premier fail to get his seat, the Ministry would at once require to bo reconstituted, or else would go out of office without delay. In the evont of the elections proving generally fivourable, but Sir Eobert Stout being beaten, no doubt the reconstruction would take placo under Sir Julius Voqel, but should the verdiot of tho country be adverse generally, or should more than one Minister be defeated, we presume tho Ministry would at once resign, and that Major Atkinson, if he is in the House, would be sent for. There will be eager reckoning up of noses on Tuesday morning when the full list of the new House is available. If Sir Maurice O'Boeke is beaten, there 'will be a Spoakership to fill, and it is doubtful, even if he is returned, whether the present Ministry, if in office, will support his re-election to the Speakership. During the present election he has pronounced very strongly against them and their policy, but apart from this, there are other reasons which may militate, both with Miniaiters and with the House, against his re-appointment. If he is not again proposed, who will fill tho chair ? It is well known that Mr. Rolleston has for a long timo had hankerings after the office, but we doubt whether he would make a good or popular Speaker. It haß been whispered that Major Atkinson might not bo indisposed to quit the rough and tumble of party politios for the dignified retirement of the Speaker's chair. His rude, brusque manner would, however, be much aerninHt him. On the other hand, he has a fair knowledge of Parliamentary practice, and plenty of decision. His removal from the arena of party politics would solve a good many difficulties. Whether, even if the present Ministry meet Parliament, the nomination of a Chairman of Committees will fall to their lot may well be doubted, for, probably, one of the very first duties of the naw Speaker, whoever bo may be, will be to preside over a noconfidence debate; but if they havo to nominate a now Chairman the probability is that they will not propose Mr, Hamlin's re-appointment. Last time Mr. H*hljn was elected, despite them, and we shall not be surprised to see a similar result this time. They will hardly venture to repeat the experiment of three years ago, by putting up the knight of " the white flower of a blameless life," Mr. W. J. Steward, against him ; but they might try to put Mr. Tubkbulli, or Mr. Bbvan, if he obtains his seat, into the positios. The House, however, will act wisely in retaining Mr. Hammn, who is not likely to be improved on as a Chairman of Committees. If they do not resign before the House moots, and escape disaster at the polls, Ministers will certainly have to defend their position in the debate on the Addressin- Reply, and wo shall be much surprised if a hostile amendment is not carried, and one or more changes of Ministry forced within a very short period. The coming month therefore is sure to be full of political interest and excitement.