THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Evening Star, Issue 7336, 7 October 1887, Page 4

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

[Special to tiie Star.]

AUCKLAND, Octobek IG,

The Auckland ' Star' has the following article on the political situation: —"The statement wired from Wellington that Major Atkinson is of opinion that the Continuous Ministry should not be resorted to in any shape is welcome news. Sir John Hall would be generally objectionable to the Radical party, and we do not see how a Cabinet could hope to hold the support of that section of the Opposition with the member for Selwyn at its head. As to Sir F. Whitaker, everyone recognises his great experience, ability, and public services; but his age and broken health disqualify him from acting otherwise than as a friendly counsellor to the new Cabinet. If he were chosen as Premier, Auckland would claim and might insist upon having another member in the Ministry. Taking all things into account, therefore, we believe that the feelings of the country and the wishes of the Opposition party would be served most effectively if Major Atkinson were to reduce his proposed representation of the Continuous Ministry by one-half; in short, limit it to himself, and make his previous servica on the Treasury benches an absolute bar to office. The universal feeling of the country is in favor of new men, and never has the House of Representatives afforded better material from which Buch a Cabinet could be chosen for Auckland. Either Moss or Peacock would ably represent the interests of the North, and we feel sure that Mr Mitchelson would willingly abandon his own claims to office, in accordance with the general desire to strengthen the party. Hawke's Bay could contribute Captain Russell 5 Wellington, Mr Fisher or Mr Beetham : Otago, Mr Fergus or Mr Scobie Mackenzie; and if the Canterbury phalanx in the House of Representatives refused to yield a suitable man, a Minister could bo chosen from among their representatives in the Upper House. Major Atkinson, judged by every rule, is justly entitled to be Premier, and he could combine that portfolio with that of Treasurer; or the latter office would bo ably filled by Mr Moss. The claims of Mr Peacock to a seat in any new Ministry are also very strong. He was offered and refused a portfolio in the Vogel Ministry. Such an act gives him the right to expect that his own party will not treat him with less consideration and confidence than his opponents did. He would make ono of the best Ministers of Mines the Colony has ever had, or would, we believe, administer the Public Works Department with satisfaction to the Colony at large. Mr Peacock's administrative talent has been fully displayed during his term as Mayor of Auckland, and in connection with the various public companies of which he is a director. The member for Egmont has at this moment reached a momentous stage in his political career. He has associations of the past popular dislike that attached to the Continuous Ministry far behind him. Will he go back and revive them, or will he justify expectation and gratify th 5 earnest desire of the country by making an entirely new departure ? We shall see."