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Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 7927, 2 August 1886, Page 4

Majob, Atkinson is always giving fresh evidence of his special fitness to lead an Opposition which claims to be the party of economy. Nature has granted him a gift of plainness of speech, and a fondness for using it, which we do not see in all politicians. The latest occasion on which the leader of the Opposition made use of this power was when he explained his attitude on the question of the .£175,000. This sum had been struck off the schedule to the Public Works Bill, at Nelson's expense. The Government proposed to reinstate it for railways in the Middle Island generally. It was supposed that a good share of the money, at any rate, would fall to Canterbury's lot—to Canterbury otherwise cut out altogether from the million-and-a-half loan. The Major headed a successful attempt to prevent anything of this kind. He and his followers threw out the £1 75,000 finally. He was careful to explain why. If the money was to be spent on railways in the North Island, or on that great work, the Otago Central, he would vote for it. Otherwise, away with it from the schedule! In other words, the Major's sole and simple notion of economy is to rob Canterbury of her just share in the Colony's expenditure. Spend money anywhere else and he will agree to it. But not a farthing for Canterbury. Yet there are people in this Province who have faithfully supported Major Atkinson, and who still believe him a sincere economist and a just administrator. The same people would hesitate to appoint Titokowaru ruler of Taranaki. But they would make Major Atkinson ruler of Canterbury, which shows their inconsistency.