FIFTY YEARS AGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21874, 9 August 1934, Page 8

FIFTY YEARS AGO

ATKINSON MINISTRY FALLS SIR JULIUS VOGEL'S RISE Fifty years ago a political crisis of considerable importance was causing intense excitement throughout the colony. The famous "Continuous" Ministry, in which Major Atkinson was the central figure and which had been in power with only one serious break since 1869, was about to be submerged for a second period by the Stout-Vogel combination after a month of uncertainty and vacillation. The New Zealand Herald of August 9, 1884, has a graphic description of the scene in the House the previous day when it became obvious that a change of Ministry was inevitable. "The members sat in solemn and dignified silence, apparently lost in the profundity of their own thoughts," a special reporter wrote. "Even Sir George Grey was subdued and undemonstrative, the sparkling effervescence which characterised his manner yesterday afternoon was wholly absent to-day. "It had been rumoured early in the day that Sir Julius Vogel would take his seat in the House and that, no doubt, helped to swell the large attendance that crowded the galleries of the House. It is remarkable the keen public interest which centres round that man. An invalid, unable to move his foot from the ground, rarely seen out of doors, debarred by his infirmities from associating with public men in their usual haunts, he nevertheless possesses at this moment greater influence than almost any other political leader in Wellington. No man has been more vilified and traduced during the past few weeks, yet, in spite of the malicious tactics of his enemies, his name is yet a power to conjure with. " Major Atkinson rose and, in a dear and firm voice announced that the Government had resigned. The play was oyer. The Atkinson Ministry had come to an end. Sir Julius Vogel remained for a short time to receive the congratulations of his friends; then an attendant wheeled him away, and members gradually disjjersed."