POLITICAL PRESAGES.

Evening Star, Issue 7336, 7 October 1887, Page 1

POLITICAL PRESAGES.

Ik the old Greek plays, which wore the basis of the drama ancient and modern, when the plot became involved and the leading characters were in an apparently inextricable complication, one of the gods was invariably brought down from Olympns, ind soon made matters straight. Much after the same fashion it may be that the political problem, now appearing so difficult, may be solved if Sir Frederick Whitakeb can be induced, notwithstanding his declared reluctance, to take on himself the responsibilities of office. In ability, experience, and knowledge of the science of politics in its practical application Sir Frederick stands a head and shoulder above other members of the Legislature; and he has the very important qualification, for present purposes, of having been associated with neither party in the late Parliament. He is the only man of weight and position who can form a perfectly independent .Ministry and hft-'iree to initiate the necessary reforms without being trammelled by antecedents more or less equivocal. If it be true that both Sir John Hall and Mr Ormond decline office, it must be hoped that Sir Frederick may be induced to lend his aid in the formation of a Government in which he might fitly hold tU office of Premier, without undertaking any departmental duties, if his health is not strong. A Ministry judiciously constituted and guided by his sagacity in framing a policy acceptable to the people would ride out, we believe, the storms of the session, and set at naught the efforts of the Vogkl party to displace them., Sir Junes will, there* is no doubt, give a great deal of trouble, and, backed as he will be, may be powerful for obstruction; but the moßt skilful tactics can but temporarily obstruct when the voice of the great majorty in Parliament and the country is distinct. It would possibly be inconvenient that the Premier should not be present on the Treasury benches in the House of Representatives; but, as is almost sure to be the case, Major Atkinson should be in a Whitaker Cabinet, and the inconvenience would therefore be little more than nominal, since the Major is entirely competent as a speaker, debater, and tactician to lead the House.

It is already manifest that the difficulties we from the first anticipated as to the allotment of portfolios in the new Ministry, whoever may be the nominal head, are likely to be serious. There are really many members who have undoubted claims to consideration, but the number of portfolios is limited; and there is further/ we think unfortunately, almost a necessity for an adjustment of a representation in this Cabinet on a provincial basis. Canterbury, under the circumstances, may stand but; but Auckland, Wellington, and Otago will insist on being there, which again narrows down the selection of his colleagues by the Premier. In Otago there are certainly five of the old members who have, earned, we might say, the right to expect' an offer of office when their party attains to power. Probably it; is much the same proportionately in Wellington and As an unavoidable consequence there most be disappointments, there being practically out five portfolios to allot. -We do- hope that -there, will-be-dis-played unselfish abandonment of personal ambitions in the interest of the Colony, and loyal acquiescence in the arrangements which on the whole commend themselves to the majority of the members who desire that therefehall be an end for >ever of the Vogkl dynasty. Especially do we trust that Otago wijl not be: disgraced fey any of her, rraresen* J fetives* taking a ttorn'ln the House because on this occasion they are not included in the Ministry, Thas such things haysjbeen is * rpainfuL fact which we should not care to see repeated.