The Negociations of Yesterday.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5094, 30 August 1884, Page 3

The Negociations of Yesterday.

« Mr Stout's Explanation. Combination Possibilities. Effects of Sir Julius Vogel's Speech. [Special to the " Stab."] j WELLINGTON, August 30. ! The negotiations referred to in my telegram of yesterday came to nothing, as you saw from the speech of the Premier. The Premier told the House during the debate, that he had gone as far as possible in attempting to settle the difficulty of bringing about a combination. An offer, it appears, was made by Major Atkinson, its i basis being that he and one other, to be named by him, should join with Mr Stout and Sir Julius Yogel and agree together upon the rest of the Cabinet. These negotiations fell through early in the day; that is to say, before the half-past two adjournment. When Mr Stout was asking the House to adjourn until half-past seven, and pleading a headache, he was asked by Sir George Grey if there was any negotiation pending? He replied that there was no negotiation pending. I do not profess to quote his very words., but only to give the meaning as nearly as I can recollect. When the story of the negotiation got out, which it only did late in the afternoon, many, not hearing anything till the Premier made his speech, began to wonder at Mr Stout's denial. The explanation was, at least as far as Mr Stout was concerned, over when he made his denial. He had, in fact, himself refused to have anything to do with the arrangement proposed. Stories are going about which make it appear that the bone of Major Atkinson was the Premiership. But they are all beside the mark. The Government offered to negotiate. Mr Stout would not negotiate until the Government had been placed in a minority. It was not a case of revenge, though undoubtedly the verdict of the House is not in the least degree unpleasant to the Stout-Vogel people. Neither was it a case of " First catch your hare." The hare was caught, and being an honourable hare, could have been trusted to carry out loyally any terms that might have been made with the pursuers. It was a case of getting the leading position openly, by the ordinary Parliamentary means. Everybody having been turned out in turn, the state of parties is now j clear for a combination which, will bring no imputation on anyone who may join it. To have broken up a party organised for attack, for the sake of office with the party attacked, is not. a nice thing to say of any man. That is exactly what Mr Stout, and Sir Julius Yogel, who has been with him throughout, avoided on refusing to negotiate. The great danger feared by many of Mr Stout's party was lest the debate should excite too much bitterness for the interests of rapid peace after. The debate avoided anything of the kind. All the chief speakers ostentatiously avoided heavy blows'; they were mutually complimentary, and they all spoke of the supreme necessity for combining. The debate was a debate of amenities without acrimony. It was made bright with good sword play, which spile no blood. When it was over, everybody smiled. The defeated Ministers took their defeat with an air of genuine unaffected amusement. Of the whole House a stranger would have said, " They are a lot of fellows playing at politics." The way is thus clear for any combination the parties in the House may think proper to arrange. The House stands adjourned to its usual day and hour, viz., half-past two on Tuesday af terHoon. There is thus a little breathing time during which this arrangement can be effected. The experienced in such matters, and of these there are now a great number who have been educated with immense rapidity in the last few days, say that the difficulties will be very great. Some go so far as to say that they are insuperable, a dissolution being the only possible outcome. The only man in the House a dissolution would suit would be Sir George Grey, who might add Messrs Sheehan, Reese, M'Kenzie, and a host more to his following, thus holding the balance of parties with a bigger crowd than ever. For the same reason, no one else would like a dissolution. Sir Julius Vogel's speech, moreover, of last night, has raised him into a new atmosphere. It is the sensation this morning throughout the whole body of members, and the great number of people who were present in the various galleries. The statesmanlike elevation, liberal moderation, complete grasp, and wide - reaching spirit of reform Avbich characterised it, have made their mark as_umch as the polished, well balanced style, so trenchant and at the same time so carefully restrained from unpleasant personalities. It is admitted at the same time that in his reply Major Atkinson had the best of it on^sonie points. The speech, nevertheless, if I mistake not, has done more to facilitate a strong combination thau anything that has been done during the last month in Wellington political circles.