Evening Post. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1,1887.

Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 80, 1 October 1887, Page 2

Evening Post. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1887.

WHAT IS WANTED. Pabliament will meet on Thursday next, under extraordinary, if not altogether un. precedented, circumstances. There appears little or no probability that Major Atkinson will have formed a Ministry by that time, even if he consents to undertake the formation of one, and of course the present Ministry, only holding office until their successors are ready to take it, will not assume any responsibility towards Parliament. Fortunately no speech will be required from the Governor until the week after next, and the Parliamentary proceedings of next week will be confined to the election of a Speaker. The proceedings on Thursday will bo opened by Commissioners, who will annonnoe that on some future day— in the present instance, probably Tuesday, 11th instant— his Excellency the Governor will in person declare the causes of calling Parliament together. The Commissioners will then request the members of the House to select some fit and proper person to fill the high and important offico of Speaker, and to ' present him for approval to the Governor at a time named. It 13 of course usual for the

Government to lead the Houße in the choice of a Speaker but this m RenSrally done Opposition. In this case |uc£ consultation is especially necessary, ajid no doubt if Sir J 7n 'PiY 00 * 3 **' P™Vom the new Speaker It will bo by arrangement with Major AtkinBON, who will second the nomination. It is practically^certain tbat in any caso Sir Maubice O'Rorkk will be ro.-elbVlod. Tho House te4v nttjet oh Friday to, receive the Governor 3 confirmation of it's choico. and to hear anything Major Atkinson may havo to communicate in reference to his possiblo Cabinet-making operations, but it 1b unlikely that any now Mtoistehj will Occupy the benches before luesday, and until they aro seated the usual eeasional committees can scarcely be set up. Any new Government may fairly demand a few days to prepare measures to bring beforo Parliament, and it is by no means improbable that even bofore it can very fully onunciato a policy it will have to defend its position from hostile assault. If Major Atkinson forms a Ministry, the probability is that ho will include in it fcJir JoHfr HAIL and Mr. MiTCHEMON, possibly yielding the Premierfchip to tho former gentleman. Tile nther seats will nt> doribt bo dwafdhd id ''new men ,' If any of sufficient standing can be found who are willing to risk their future prospects by linking their political fortunes with the Hall-Atkinson combination. Mr. Michelbon would be a source of strength to almost any Ministry, but his presence on the benohes would not allay or remove tho well-grounded distrust with which any combination between Sir John Hall and Major Atkinson is certain to bo regarded both in the House and in tho country. Such a combination, howover tempered by the intro' duction of new eloments in subordinate position?, would simply mean a return to the policy and administrative system cf four years ago, a policy and a system of which the country, after bitter tjxperlenco, was heartily sick, and against which it revolted in the most pronounced manner. We would strongly urge the young and_ promising members whose ability and position entitle them to aspiro to office, to hold aloof frOm all present approaches oil tho part of Major AtlJins'oS', y turn away from the glittering bait with which he may £ry,to tempt them, and to resolutely refuse to link their fortunes with his in what may fairly bo regarded ob a forlorn hope. Over anxiety to obtain office has ruined many a promising career, and deferred, until heart sickness has set in, tho realisation of hopes which onco seemed reasonable and within measurable distance of accomplishment. Messrs. Hursthouse, Wakefield, and Russell had bitter cause to regret tho fatal readiness with which in 1884 they aacoptcd Major AtKinHon'b offer Of portfolios. They wero scarcely sworn in before they wore kicked out. A like fato is almost certain to follow and attend any Administra* tion which Major Atkinson may how form. Tho young men will lose llothihglly waiting. Their time will come, and its arrival will be expedited by their waiting patlontly until the ohl attd played-oui parties demonstrate in a practical manner their inability to form a stable Government. After the old leaders have exhausted their sides, and have discovered how Very Weak thoy aro, tho time will ha¥e arrived when the young members Will bo able to assert themselves, and to insist that personal and minor differences shaU bb. 'oast asidK wda roally Btt'dnor Government be formed, Composed chiefly of new blbo'd, but assisted by the ability and experience of the chiefs on each side according to tho old linos of party demarcation. There never was a timo when New Zealand was in direr nood of a strong Government to direct its affairs, A weak Govornmont oannot even attempt tho reforms which are necessary to the well-being of the State, and td asmtrb its safety. Tho BbloHy io like 1 a ship drifting on tb the rocks. All that a weak Govornmont, insecure of its foothold, can do is to try and keep before the wind, and, if possible, pick out the best place to be wrecked on. What is wantod is a strong, vigorous, and skilful crew, who wili bo able to 'bout ship and beat out Of danger. The ship has sufficiently good sailing qualitlos to bo ablo to Oxtricate herself frohi difficulty it orily well-mahhed and skilfully Undhonestly Handled. Thetb' ittlist be no divided counsels amongst the officers, and the orew must have full confidence in thoso in command, and thero must be no mutiny. Tho present is not a timo for party struggles, the gratification of personal animosities, or intrigues for office. So far as we can see, no saorifioe of principle is required on any side to bring about a coalition whioh would plaoe on the Government bonohes a really strong Ministry, able to devise, and assured of sufficient support to bo certain of carrying the measnres and roforms which are essential to tho public safety, and Calculated to restore prosperity to the colony. No other sacrifice sliould be doomed too great to make in the prose'nt eihergonoy^ ___ _ _