THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED DAILY-(MORNINGS). NELSON, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1887. v THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

Colonist, Volume XXX, Issue 5025, 7 October 1887, Page 3

THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED DAILY-(MORNINGS). NELSON, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1887. v THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

{BY TELEGBAPH.) (PKOM Ar CO' RESPONDENT.) Wellington, October 6. A meeting of members opposed to the late Government was held this afternoon and the number of those present is variously given as 46 and 48, and nine more are said to have been accounted for. The crisis was discussed informally, and it was agreed to consider the proceedings of a noncommittal character. It is understood that some of those in attendance are not prepared unreservedly to follow Major Atkinson or any Gbverment that he may form. In order to give time for consolidation of opinions and views, *;,the meeting wasj adjourned until to-morrow. No resolution of any kind was come to, but Major Atkinson is reported to have intimated bis readiness to support any leader on whom the choice of the party might fall. The belief is generally expressed that by Tuesday morning, at latest, a new Ministry will have been sworn in. The men whose names are most frequently mentioned among the probabJe holders of portfolios are:—Major Atkinson, Captain Russell, Mr Beetham, Mr MitchGlson, Mr Fergus, Mr G. F. Eichardson, Mr Scobie Mackenzie, Sir F. Whitaker, and Sir John Hall. [from odb own cobbespondent.] The proceedings in Parliament this afternoon were merely ojf a formal character. Sir Maurice O'Borke was unanimously eleofced Speaker, and the election was hailed with loud applause. The House bag adjourned till Tuesday at 2 o'clock. On that, day his Excellency the Governor will attend in person, and in his speech from the throne, will declare his reasons fbtf calling Parliament together. The House will not meet till evening, at 7.30, when Major Atkinson will make a statement as to what he proposes to do. A meeting of Major Atkinson's, or more properly speaking, of Jhe atitir Vogelparty was held at 5 o'clock this afternoon, and lasted for some time, Mr Fulton being in the chair. There was considerable discussion, but no practical resolution was come to, and

there was absolutely nothing done. Forty-eight members were present and' nine others were accounted for. This number mast of coarse include many who cannot be held to be supporters of Major Atkinson. The Major went over the earns ground as he did in the House this afternoon, and explained the coarse of ev-r.ts, and what he had done since be was sent for by his Excellency the Governor. Several present; notably Mr Monk, the member for Waitomata, showed strong inclination to discuss details, and this being resented at a merely preliminary meeting, the discussion was brought to a close by [a resolution postponing further deliberations till to-morrow (Friday.) From what I can learn, whilst there was no very definite expression of opinion as to the personnel of any new" Administration, sufficient was said to make it pretty clear that there is feeling against Major Atkinson among Southern members on the same side of the House, and against Kir John Hall among the Northern members. Should that feeling become,at all active, there is no knowing what complications may arise; but, at the present time the chief duty of politicians will be to refrain from demonstrations of personal feelings; or as a North Country member *put it— "We shall get no forrider." It is believed Major Atkinson has obtained from his erstwhile foe, Sir George jGrey, some sort-of a promise of support, in the event of a successful issue to his Cabinet making efforts. Should this be true, it would be safe to predict that before the end of the session, Sir George Grey would be numbered with the Opposition, for it is certain that the Old Man Eloquent hates Major Atkinson and his party with a hate only a littl* less fervent than that which is directed against the present occupants of tha Treasury benches. A&y support given by Sir George Grey tc> Major Atkinson just now, can only be because they meet | on the common platform of antagonism to Sir Juliu3 Vogel. It must net*be supposed that lam charging Sir George Grey with inconsistency, but his political friendship for Major Atkinson, if it really exists, is merely that the means justifies the end, namely, the political exkinotion of Sir Julius Vogel, and after all there need be no reason why Sir George Grey and Major Atkinson should not be friends so long as he places old associations behind him, and ! takes to his political bosom the new blood we hear so much about, bat Sir George|Grey could not stand Major Atkinson with Sir John Hall and Sir F. Whitaker very long. Bumor is busy with the alleged intentions of Major Atkinson to make calls to the Upper House of defeated candidates, principally such as Mr Rolleston, Mr Bryce, and Colonel Trimble, should he succeed in attaining to power, but any such intention is stoutly denied by the party, and is discredited. ISiace writing above, I have been informed that those attending the Opposition meeting to-day were held 'free to act, as they deemed fit after today, that it' was understood distinctly that their attendance at the meeting was not to be regarded in any way as a pledge that they would support Major Atkinson. There is perfect unity on the question of the necessity of vigorous Retrenchment, but further than that, members decline to enter into particulars of the discussion. The meeting was postponed till to-morrow afternoon to enable the Southern members by the S.S. Waihora to be present.