South Canterbury Times. MONDAY, JUNE 16, 1884.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3493, 16 June 1884, Page 2

South Canterbury Times. MONDAY, JUNE 16, 1884.

The stirring news which we have been receiving every day during the past week, makes us long for a camera on whose surface we might see reflected our representatives in Wellington, especially during the interval from Friday till to-morrow evening. The spectacle would be interesting and amusing. On the one side, the Government conducts its deliberations and caucuses with tantalising secrecy ; on the other, the Oppositionists, being unable to obtain reliable information as to the intentions of Major Atkinson and his colleagues, and therefore unable to decide definitely on any particular line of action themselves, are divided, distrustful and puzzled. Each of the various sections of the Opposition wants to crush the other, but as they cannot afford to go quite asunder until the intentions of Government are known, they are all compelled to keep up at least a semblance of agreement, each knowing full well that on the signal being given all will instantly divide and pursue their respective courses. The spectacle of people remaining on good terras because it will not pay to fall out until a certain moment, each knowing the other’s position and sentiments perfectly, is somewhat comical. But in this instance the comic element does not predominate. The situation teaches the colony a lesson by which we hope and trust it will profit. The evil consequences of having a divided Opposition, so often pointed out, and so persistently ignored, are now apparent. What the country wants is a strong, united Opposition, with which the craftiest of Premiers would be unable to trifle. Now the astute and wily Atkinson sees his way, not, perhaps, to a continuance, but certainly to an early resumption of power, a way which only the disunion and consequent weakness of the Opposition opens up to him. The Grey and the Montgomery party are nominally in Opposition, but there is no more possibility of their pulling together than of the sun and moon coming into collision. In fact, the Montgomery party are more likely to enter into an arrangement with Major Atkinson solely for the purpose of keeping out Sir George Grey who, though recognised enthusiastically by many constituencies as the leader of the Opposition, is not so accepted in the House. How parties will mingle or divide, no one can with certainty predict. The “ middle party” that was to gather up the ‘ frayed edges ’ of affairs and restore unity and

peace, died in coining to birth, and deserves no further notice. At this crisis, at the supreme moment, arrives on the scene Sir Julias Vogel, after having given the country so much of his mind as to impress them more than ever with the feeling that he is the man, and the only man for the occasion. We can hardly wonder that the people, who have been tossed like a football from side to side, who have been addressed ad nauseam by politician after politician and Lave heard nothing satisfactory from any, tired of the weary round of aimless and profitless legislation, sick of the low tone of political life, the littleness and weakness, the self-seeking and intrigue that prevail, are disposed to welcome the arrival at this juncture of Sir Julius Vogel, whose addresses have a freshness and charm and high tone about them for which we look in vain in those of our politicians generally. It is certain that the arrival of Sir Julius in Wellington will cause an amusing agitation among members. Now is the time for the place-hunter to exercise his prophetic gifts for his own benefit I Now is the time for him to venture! And we have no doubt the place-hunters will continue to display that wisdom which has seldom failed them and that they will transfer their smiles (political harlots as they arel) from the parting to the new-come guest. Even here, even in the columns of our morning contemporary, behold the first indication of the course things are taking. “ Onr own,” whoever he may be, is about, and says he, telegraphing yesterday : —“ Sir Julius Vogel arrived to-day, and is already a centre of interest in political circles. I venture to predict that before a week is over he will have a larger following, actual or prospective, than any other of the so-called leaders. The full report of his Ashburton speech has made an excellent impression.”