THE New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY). MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1890.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 9139, 10 November 1890, Page 2

THE New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY).

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1890.

With which are incorporated the Wellington Independent, established 1345, and the New Zealander,

The Premier’s manifesto has been taken by a great part of public opinion as a sign that the hope of the Premier’s recovery is so groat in the minds of Ministers as to warrant them in expecting that he might lead them once more with his old fire and completeness. That would of course involve the prospect of escaping the troublesome work of reconstruction. Were the hope well grounded the only awkwardness before the Government would be the selection of the retiring man when the reduced House meetsf We fear, however, that the hope is not sufficiently well grounded to preclude any idea, of reconstruction. Every one, no matter what his political views are, would be glad to see Sir Harry Atkinson once more restored to his vigorous strength. But as the probability is that his return to health may be deferred longer than the escape from reconstruction requires, we must bo prepared to consider eventualities.

The best man in the event of change to lead the House is of course Captain Russell. To that there is nothing to be added to what wo said the other day. Another question which arises is as to the Treasurership. If Sir Harry is unable to hold the portfolio, who will replace him ? Mr Rolleston’s name at once suggests itself as the name of the best qualified. His career is one of those that are on the higher plane. Mr Rolleston never was one of those politicians who occasionally mugged up a subject for a speech, attended a few committees, especially those dealing with popular subjects, and thanked Heaven when the session was over that he had done his duty. He w orked like a statesman who studies every detail and principle. Confined he was, of course, when a Minister, to his own department by the exigencies of rouliiie, but he in variably gave his colleagues iu the House that assistance which is valuable because it is experienced. During financial discussions Mr Rolleston often contributed a substantial share.

Another name has been frequently mentioned in connection with the Treaeurership and contingencies. It is Mr Macarthur’s. On the Government side of the House no one has displayed the same mastery of the public accounts as the member for Manawatu. More particularly has he distinguished himself by his familiarity with the financial side of local government. While the great mass of members who regard the public accounts as a sort of maze in which the human wit becomes hopelessly lost are panic-stricken in the presence of figures, Mr Macarthur, on the contrary, handles them with pleasure as well as practised skill. As yet he has not given evidence of any of the higher qualities which are necessary before a statesman can be made out of an accountant. But that is a point on which the Treasurers of this country have always had to face doubt at the outset ol office. It is something that there is a man who can handle the figures. On the otho.r side of the House Mr Ballance is the only one who understands the public accounts; his lieutenant, Mr Hutchison, has made some wild attempts to show his knowledge, but they have been for the moat part examples of the art of polemics, not of the art financial. Mr Fisher has also made finance a study, but his finance is like Mr Hutchison’s, very much more polemical than financial. They are the two best oa their side next to Mr Ballance. Clearly, if a successor to Sir Harry Atkinson is required, the best choice lies between Mr Rolleston and Mr Macarthqr, If Sir Maurice O’Rorke were to be defeated by Mr Buckland—who is playing " the furious Tybalt ’’ among the ejectors—Mr Kollsston would, of course, be the next Speaker; and in that case Mr Macarthur would be without a rival. Until the House is elected it is impossible to determine this knotty point. In the meantime it is well to be prepared for changes.