THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1752, 12 October 1887, Page 2

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

(by telegraph.) (from our own cobbkspondent.)

WELLINGTON, October 12.

The npw Ministry met the House for the first time last evening, and tbere was a very full attendance of members to meet them. Since the previous meeting there had been many changes of seats. The front Opposition Benches will be taken by those who previously had sat at Mr. Speaker's risht.

Sir J. Vogel, for the first time since his return to tbe colony, walked into the Chamber, though he still has to use crutches. He and Mr. Edward Richardson occupy the centre of the Opposition Bench, with Messrs. Lnrnach and Bal. lance to the right and the Opposition whips to the lelt, and are backed up by several of the most prominent supporters.

Immediately the preliminary business bad been disposed of, Major Atkinson s-iid be had, at tbe request of a large party, undertaken the formation of a Government, that he had succeeded in the task, and he gave the names of tbe Ministers. The personnel is as previously telegraphed, but there are changes in the portfolios, Mr. Fergus giving up that of Mines to Mr. .Richardson and taking Justice and Defence, while Mr. Hislop is to be Colonial Secretary, and Major Atkinson has charge of all revenue-yielding departments.

There was a little breeze when Major Atkinson announced bis intention to ask for a fortnight's adjournment, Sir J. Vogel. Mr. Seddon, and others objecting to the length of the proposed adjournment, but Major Atkinaon said that, in view it the task be bad undertaken, which involved a review and alteration of the figures on which finance had been based for the past thirty years, he might well have asked for a month's time, and he was astonished at his own moderation in only requiring a fortnight.

Messrs. Samuel, Pyke, Ormond, and others concurred in the reasonableness of the request just named, remarking that neither the House nor thecouutry wanted to see a repetition of tbe proceedings of 1884.

The House, then adjourned till two o'clock to-day, when the Governor's speech will be delivered.

It is probable that the Houae will rise on Friday for a fortnight.

I Per Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, October 12.

After Major Atkinson made his announcement of the re-allotment of portfolios last i>i»bt, Sir J. Vogel asked it Tuesday week would not be long enough for the adjournment. Several members spoke on the subject, and Major Atkinson insisted that the magnitude of the task demanded at least a fortnight. If the financial statement was not ready by Friday fortnight be would bring it down on the Tuesday following. Sir J. Vogel remarked that if the Governor's speech contained a question of policy, be would not bind himself to let it pass without debate. Tbe House rose at 5 p.m.