LATE MINISTERIAL CHANGES AND THEIR EFFECTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6821, 27 September 1883, Page 5

LATE MINISTERIAL CHANGES AND THEIR EFFECTS.

[by telegraph.—own Correspondent.]

Christchubch, Wednesday. Whiting of Mr. Whitaker's retirement, the Times says :—Some men in the community havefoi tut last few years regarded the Government very much as the Ancient Mariner regarded hie ship, which moved along so swiit and so steady, though " never a breeze upblew." The moving spirit in their eyes was Mr. Whitaker. They will consider the retirement of Mr. Whitaker aa the ruin of the Ministry, or, to speak with sufficient correctness to please captions critics, of its successor. Another class of critics considered Mr. Whitaker always aa the weakness of the Government where he was. They think that Mr. Whitaker's retirement means the removal of the vulnerable point. Mr. Whitaker has in their eyes saved the Ministry of Major Atkinson. To the man of fair judgment, the retirement of the late Premier will make .no difference, for three reasons — firstly, in parish politics it matters very belittle who is the leader; .Eeedridly.V = Mr.; ! Whitaker's friends will I'contihue.... to "be the friends of his late colleague, , Mr. Whitaker's enemies .will jcpntinue ...to' oppose Major Atkinson, while>.i: ; Mr..t.\ : V.hitaker.'s' intelligence will always beat the disposal of his stressors, to keep them '.'in'the rightway." Thirdly, ;Mr.. v Whiiaker v ha3 done 'all the 'eoecial work likely to. be...required for someyears by Major'Atkinson!! He has "emasculated the;' ijaiiye.'; "land, policy "of :.Mr.' Bryce, and he- has .furuished; his colleagues with :a Bill 'for'.''consolidating, -increasing,- and (hardening.'"thep.power, of the Legislative Council as a great Conservative engine. His spvcial.ieryices \ have,beeuemployed to'such that'they, will'Vnot; be required for a contiiderable .time:"';' The star of Mr. Whit- : afctr.! is, of ..the ;c6riietic order.' It visits the political heayena after certain* periods of absence. "..:;L'etd(iciest nous is the motto of Whitaker... and Russell. When: the State calls'.it always finds the firm loyal "eneugh to devote one..:qf ; the< : partners to--, its .'service. Aβ , ; far the policy ,'of : the ~ Goverarheut. is concerned there, can be no change. ■Major Atkinson is at present the chatnpion.fi borrower and i ibuyer.!!!..'.Borrowing bnyihg must go on under;his auspices with theysame,-well-regulated, speed. The difference:.will be,one,bf detail.'''.'. Daring the leegss.deputations will..n6t-.be parried with the, 'Same grace ■.'and..astutehess.'tliati '.Mr. Whitaker! used.to.display in.their. treatment, lii''thes6 matters .'there, is ...but" one Whitaker. . When the.'Mmister.of, Lands and the Minister of Public Wprk's'failed to quiet the railway league,. : Mf....'Wliitaker carried;.on'..the scene.. His only failed -with the leiagub i)e- : . cauße success:: '.was .'out.,,, of. -the.;-. power .; of : any but lini; Parliament: he fared very differently. Such" masterly strokes', will: probably hot be,seen in future, but the. same, results .may... be . :As there, are several waye of killing a bo there are more .ways than one. iof giving inconvenient theiriqnietus. The Whitaker weapons rapier.'and! the.' net' ofJthe retiarius.; T|Sei .Atkinson'; weipphs "are.the sledge hammer, .'and . tiieflaili' All fpui',.are.. equally.efiectiye.':!';':'".' ', : .-.i-.-"'''\'■■-■'■::' '■• ■'■'Vi^.-,;