Poverty Bay Herald .

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6002, 24 February 1891, Page 2

Poverty Bay Herald .

PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GIBBORNB, TUKSDAY, FEMIUARY 21, 1801. THE NEWTON, SEAT. Tiih announcement that Sir George Grey was willing to stand for Newton, if saved the worry 'and exoitoment of a contest, must have sent a cold shudder through Mr Ballauce. Tlie Ministerialists are far from being a happy family. It is an open secret that Messrs Fisher and Fish, two of the most prominent members, are diesatisfiod with the present artangemtmts. There is a belief abroad that Mr Fisher aspires to the Premiership, and that it is his intention to form a new party, of which, of course, he will be the head. MiFish, although strong in speech, was never a safe party man. lie deserted the Atkinson Government, and not the slightest surprise would bo felt if he turned against Mr Ballanco. Sir George Grey is a politician of a very different stamp to the two discontents mentioned. The measure of

his powoi", should he enter tho present Parliament, is not to be gauged by the influence he wielded in the last. Then ho could not command more than throe votes at the utmost. But a now political powor has arisen in tho land. In tho House of Representatives there are from twentytwo to twenty-four Labor representatives, the majority of whom would most probably prefer Sir Goo. Grey as a chief to Mr Ballance. Had the ex-Governor not been prevented by illness from entering Parliament, he would have stood some chance, though a remoto one, of again becomingPromier ; and if he hadnotobtainod that position he would have been the " power behind the throne," that is assuming that a " Liberal" Government had boon formed. There is no saying what would have happened bad Sir George Grey been in tho Houso. Of course, tho supporters of tho present Opposition have more objection to Sir George Grey than to Mr Ballance, and prefer to see the latter at tho head of affairs. Wo think that it was a fortunate thing for the character of Parliament that tho Ministry obtained oflice without repeated shufflings of the cards. A groat many people are not favorably improssed with the character of the new House, but they should remember that there is a lower depth still, which might have been reached if there had been unprincipled intriguing to obtain odico. The Ballance Ministry is entitled to be considered the outcome of the verdict of the constituencies. Whethei Sir Goo. Grey, if ho finally decides to stand for Now ton, will lave a walk over is difficult to, sny ; but thare can bo no doubt of his return even should he not take an active part in forwarding his own candidature. One is at a loss to account for Mr Goldio's desire that Sir George should succeed him. The two were not on tho same side in politics. Perhaps Mr G oldie entertains grave mistrust of a Ballanco administration. If that be tho case, he has undoubtedly taken the best means in his powor to embarrass the Government, for if Sir George Grey were in Parliament the Ministry would exist on sufferance.