POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 7336, 7 October 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[Fbom Oub Special Repobteb,] WELLINGTON, October 5. Major Atkinson's Prospects. Quite a sanguine view of the selfabnegation of the members of the Opposition party with respect to desire for office is taken by the« Press,' which says that, instead of being harassed by rival claims to office, instead of having to face the insoluble problem of distributing six portfolios among twenty members in certain peril of losing fourteen votes, Major Atkinson has received unreserved pledges of support from the very men who have the strongest claims, accompanied by assurances of their entire willingnes to leave the selection of the Cabinet absolutely to the Leader to be chosen by the party. It stands to reason, of course, that when men like these set such an example, _ those whose claims are altogether inferior to theirs will feel bound to follow it, and in effect there is good reason to believe that not a single member will urge any claim of his own or waver in his allegiance to the new Government because he happens to be left out. The Opposition thoroughly realise two things: firstly, that the claims of individuals are wholly obliterated by the urgency of the political position; and secondly, that in a party constituting a powerful majority under a Ministry whom they follow with pride and enthusiasm, every member will be a man of influence in Parliament and in the country. Thus it has come about that Major Atkinson, instead of being bewildered among rival claimants, finds a difficulty in securing for colleagues the men whose services are essential to the prompt and effective execution of the policy which thepeoplehave demanded. Eachseeks to distinguish himself by standing out. The Press Association telegraph that a meeting of members opposed to the late Government was held this afternoon. The number present is variously given as fortysix and forty-nine, and nine more are Baid to have been accounted for. The crisis was discussed informally, and it was agreed to consider the proceedings as of a non-com-mittal character- It is understood that some of those in attendance are not prepared unreservedly to follow Major Atkinson or any Government that may be formed, and in order to give time for the consolidation of opinions and viewß the was adjourned until to-morrow. No solution of any kind has been come to, but Major Atkinson ia reported to have intimated hiß readiness to support any leader on whom the choice of the party might fall. The belief is generally expressed tbat by Tuesday morning at the latest a new Ministry will have been sworn in. The men whose names are most frequently mentioned among the probable holders of portfolios are Major Atkinson, Captain Russell, Mr Beetham, Mr Mitchelson, Mr Fergus, Mr G. F. Richardson, Mr Scobie Mackenzie, Sir F. Whitaker, and Sir John Hall. Opening of Parliament. The proceedings at Parliament Buildings this afternoon were devoid of the usual interest attaching to the occasion. The first session of the tenth Parliament of New Zealand was opened at two o'clock by Commission ; the Commissioners being the Hon. Sir William Fitzherbert and the Hons. P. A. Buckley, R. H. Reynolds, and G. M. Waterhouse. The members of the House of Representatives were sent for, and, preceded Toy the Clerk of the Parliaments and the Sergeant-at-Arms, attended in the Legislative Council. The Clerk read the Commission to open Parliament, and the Speaker of the Council then read a Message from the Governor, stating tbat His Excellency would, on Tuesday next at 2 p.m., attend the Legislative Council in person and state the reasons for calling Parliament together. His Excellency requested that the House of Representatives would at once proceed to the election of a Speaker. The Council then adjourned, and the members of the Lower House returned to their Chamber, where they were sworn in by the Clerk. In the first group called up to take the oath were Major Atkinson and Mr Ballance, who shook hands cordially when they met. Sir J. Vogel and Sir G. Grey were both in the House, and there was a total of seventy-six members present. The election of Speaker followed. Items. The Otago Legislative Councillors present at the opening of Parliament were—Messrs M'Lean, Holmes, Oliver, Reynolds, and Taiaroa. All your members of the Lower House were present except Messrs Fish, Pyke, John M'Kenzie, and Brown. October 7. Mr Tole's public career closed for the pr3sent to-day, when he left for Auckland by train. Seventy-four members were sworn in yesterday. The absentees were Messrs Brown, Cadman, Duncan, Fish, Graham, Grummond, Guinness, Hall, Hodgkinson, Jaekson, Kelly, Levestam, M'Kenae (Waihemo), O'Conor, Ormond, Pyke, Seddon, Smith, Tanner, Thompson (Marsden), Turnbull. Sir J. Hall, Mr Hodgkinson, and Mr Pyke arrived by the Waihora to-day. The Yonnjr New Zealand Party. At a preliminary meeting of the Young New Zealand (not Young Canterbury, as previously wired) Party, just over, it was decided not to offer any factious opposition to Major Atkinson, and an adjournment was made till to-morrow, till Ms proposals were ascertained. There were present—Messrs Fiteherbert, Anderson, Rhodes, Ward, M'Gregor, and Mackenzie (Clutha). The Major's policy. It is reported that Major Atkinson, in the event of succeeding in his task of Cabinetmaking, will effect retrenchment to the tune of L3W,000, and will ask the House to sanction the sale of Crown lands to the extent of L 200.000.