NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 7270, 12 September 1884, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH

AUGUST-SEPTEMBBE.

(for Iranstnimon, hy the I’.M.H. Co. s HA, Auitratiu, from Auckland, via Han Franelscoj, Perhaps the most extraordinary political event in tho annals of the colony has occurred during the last three weeks, or since our last Summary has been despatched. At that time wo had oidy just got through the throes of a general election consequent upon the dissolution obtained by the Atkinson Ministry. Tho appeal to tho country, strange to relate, was averse to Major Atkinson ; but the verdict of the people was not on account of any alleged political maladministration : it resulted principally from two causes, one factor being the righteous raising of tho carriage of grain per tho State railways in Canterbury, and the second, but by no means the least, being tho determination of the Southern constituencies to elect Sic Julius Vogel, and not only to elect him, but, at all hazards, to place him on the Treasury benches, irrespective altogether of either the wishes or the interests of the other two-thirds of tho colony. Prior to Parliament meeting, and on Saturday, August 18th, Major Atkinson placed the resignations of the members of his Government in the hands of His Excellency, and on the same day His Excellency sent for Sir Julius Vogol, who with the utmost celerity announced his ability to form a Ministry. The Ministerial programme and His Excellency’s speech wore prepared with hot haste, and on the following Tuesday tho Governor came down and spoke tho words set down for him. The Ministry consisted of Mr Stout, Premier; Sir Julius Vogel second in command, Mr Richardson, Mr Ballance, Mr Montgomery, Mr Macandrew, and Colonel Sir G. W. Whitmore in ■ the Upper House, to which list the name of Captain Morris was subsequently added. This strange and indeed incongruous Government was, fortunately for the colony, but short lived. It met in Parliament on the Tuesday, and on the following evening, on tho motion of Mr J. W. Thomson, the Hon. member for Clutha, on the Address in Reply, it was defeated by nineteen votes. The next scene in this precious political farcical drama, was one in which the hen. member for Clutha played an exceedingly small part. He had the honor of being sent for, having expressed the rash opinion that he would be able to form a Ministry, he was entrusted with the task, which proved that he had overestimated his powers. Mr Thomson, after a few days’ delay, gave up the task, and Sir George Grey was sent for. Here was an opportunity for the veteran Knight of Kawau, but he failed also, and his ignominy was complete when, on the following Tuesday, August 27, ho was compelled to follow the announcement of Mr Thomson, and to acknowledge that he also had failed to beat up sufficient recruits to swell his mighty army, consisting of seven followers. This was another happy deliverance for the colony, which by this time was getting slightly anxious as to what tho next succeeding scene would be. Immediately upon Sir George Grey resuming his seat, Major Atkinson, amid great cheering, arose and informed the House that he had been commissioned by His Excellency to endeavor to form a Government, which commission he had accepted. The gallant Major was sharp and decisive in his endeavors, but no one bolter than himself knew that in this Parliament, constituted as it is at present, he led but a forlorn hope. On the following evening the Premier announced the personnel as follows : Major Atkinson, Premier and Commissioner of Stamps; the Hon. George McLean, Minister of Lands and Commissioner of Customs; Mr Mitchelson, Minister of Public "Works; Mr Wakefield, Colonial Secretary; Captain Bussell, Postmaster-General; Mr Hursihouse, Minister of Lands, Immigration and Agriculture. A two days’ life were sufficient for the Ministry in tho present temper of the House, and on Friday, August 30tb, tho Atkinson Government was defeated hy a direct vote of confidence motion, proposed by Mr Stout, by a majority of 8, the division list being ayes, 43 ; noes, 38. Matters political by this time had become slightly complicated, but it need have been scarcely a matter for surprise under the circumstances that Mr Stout at this juncture was sent for. Profiting by 'former experience, Mr Stout gave the cold shoulder to his Southern friends, Messrs Macandrew and Montgomery, and took to his bosom in their stead Mr Ballance and Mr Tele. The latter gentleman it is said, and with some degree of reason, was taken into the fold with a view to placate the Sir George Grey faction. It is said, however, that Sir George is utterly disgusted at the unholy alliance on the part of his pupil, and has cast him off for ever. Whether or not the “ casting forth ” business is reciprocal or not remains to he seen. Since the Stout Government met Parliament, the Premier has played a good card by appointing the Hon. P. A. Buckley i a member of the Legislative Council, r as Colonial Secretary. The appointment is not only a popular one in Wellington, but must prove so throughout the colony. The Colonial Secretary is, comparatively speaking, a young man, although an old colonist, and certainly he io ft man endowed with the somewhat singular faculty of common . sense. Ho is a Liberal in the truest acceptation of the term, and his word, whether privately or politically, ia as good as his bond. The following is tho personnel of the present Government: — Mr Stout, Premier and AttorneyGeneral; Sir Julius Yogel, Colonial Treasurer, Postmaster-General, and Commissioner of Stamps ; Mr RichardHon, Minister of Public Works; Mr Ballance, Native Minister and Defence Minister; Mr Tole, Minister of Justice; the Hon. W. H. Reynolds (without portfolio) ; and Hon. P. A. Buckley, Colonial Secretary, in the Legislative Council. The Premier enunciated on Thursday last tho policy of the Government would be as follows The Ministry recognised that Parliament having been so long in session ifc was essential that the business should be proceeded with without further delay, and therefore they were prepared to go on with the appointment of committees and other work, so that the regular business might be brought on as soon as possible. Hon. members would remember that in tho Governor’s Speech certain matters had been referred to as questions of abstract policy, and the Government proposed to bring down measures at an early day to deal with these matters. In reference to the management of railways, the intention of the Government in that direction would be known after the delivery of the Public Works and Financial Statements. It would be impossible

this session to bring down any direct proposals or to make any change in reference to the incidence of taxation, and this question would accordingly bo left till next session. From the position of the colony at the present time, ho need hardly point out that the policy of the Government depended a great deal on the finances of the colony, and what it was proposed to do in reference to the future finances. Therefore, the policy of the Government could not be fully developed at the present time. Several measures of importance, however, would be bsought down and explained individually. In respect to local government, the Ministry, while recognising that the present system excited considerable dissatisfaction, were of opin ion that it should not bo ruthlessly destroyed or cut down; and they would, therefore, consider the matter during the recess, and bring down some fixed scheme next session. With regard to the North Island railway, the appointment of a committee to consider and report in reference to the matter would bo suggested. They believed that it would be most satisfactory to the House, and to the country that this matter should be considered, and when the committee had given its decision the work should be proceeded with with as little delay as possible. Ho wished it to be understood that the Government had no intention of shelving the matter.” The hon. gentleman added, in conclusion, that it was quite within the power of the Government, if it were found necessary, to alter or reconstitute the personnel of the Government. And so we are fairly launched into a sea of trouble, and who may next be stranded is a conundrum. The general impression, however, is that the Government will < come to grief either on their Financial Statement or else on their Public Works Policy. The death of the Hon. W. Wood, a very old and respected colonist, and _ a member of the Legislative Council, which sad event occurred last week, although somewhat sudden, is a matter for general regret. An obituary notice appears elsewhere. Amusements just now are very slack, and the last show which passed along lately was Dunning’s Opera Troupe, which appeared here for a short season last month, and who did nothing on their first season, succeeded in drawing good houses. Football is in full swing just now, and this favorite game is evidently on the increase. We shall soon be enabled to send a team over to England to do battle with the best team at Home.