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New Zealand Mail, Issue 957, 4 July 1890, Page 27

There is an old proverb about the abundance of fish in the sea. It is a proverb which ought to be particularly encouraging to the Government, if they are sanguine. Luckily for themselves they are not sanguine enough to think that it applies altogether to their case* The world undoubtedly manages to “rub along somehow,” though its greatest and best men depart oue by one. Nevertheless there are, and always have been, men whose retirement from some special sphere in which they were exceptionally distinguished, has left a gap not speedily or readily to be filled up. It is not easy to imagine German politics with out Prince Bismarck, English politics without Mr Gladstone, or New Zea land polities without Sir Harry Atkinson. We are not instituting any comparison between the New Zealand Premier and the German ex-Cban-cellor or the English Leader of Opposition. We do not say that Sir Harry Atkinson is a Bismarck or a Gladstone. What we do say is that he is, and for many vears has been, so important a feature and factor iu New Zealand politics that it is difficult to reatise the possibility of his absence from the political chessboard. The decision arrived at by Friday’s meeting of Ministerial supporters was undoubtedly a wise one. Sir Harry Atkinson’s resignation at the present moment would be in every way regrettable. We d) not pretend to agree with all his views or to approve in all respects his policy. We probably shall have occasion keenly to criticise both. But we cordially recognise his great ability, his high public and private character, and his zeal for the public good, and the combination of these qualities is by no means invariable or even very common among our New Zealand politicians. Nor is there any single man on his side of the House who could entirely fill his place were it vacated. We need not now run through the list of possible successors. Various names have frequently been mentioned since the serious nature of Sir Harry Atkinson’s malady became known, and these will at once occur to our readers. It would be a mere truism to say that not one of those gentlemen who have been thus mentioned could fill the place of the present Premier. We say this in no disrespect to them, and we are sure that they would heartily agree with us on the question. Then again the colony is on the eve of a general election. The present Government has to meet the constituencies, to give an account of' its three years’ stewardship and to submit its action to the verdict of the electors. It iB clearly most desirable that the Ministry should go before the country under the Premier by whom it was originally formed in 1887, and by whom it has been led throughout its whole career. The resignation of Sir Harry Atkinson at such a juncture, and the substitution of a uew and untried Prime Minister, who would have to bear the burden of the past triennium under another’s leadership, aud who would yet.whilethusweighted with the past, b&,ve to face the general election as a slrangerso far an his Premiership went, would be disastrous to the cause of his side. In every respect, there fore, it is preferable that Sir Harry Atkinson should retain office until after the general election at any rate. It is therefore a matter of satisfacfaction that this course has been de cided upon. Sir Harry Atkinson's name and prestige will be very valuable to his Government, and his presence and availableness as “ Consulting Engineer ” will bo no less useful We have no doubt that under the arrangement now made there will be little difficulty in dealing with such of the public business as must bo transacted before an early dissolution. We need hardly say how sincerely we deplore the Baa bodily affliction which has befallen Sir Harry Atkinson at the zenith of his distinguished career, how deeply we sympathise with him, or

how earnestly we hope tliat the partial rest which he has promised to take will have the effect of ultimately restoring him to full health and strength. We are certain that the people of New Zealand, whatever their political opinions, will be heartily at one with us in these sentiments.