LATEST PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5103, 10 September 1884, Page 2

LATEST PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

• * [Special to the " Star."] Disquieting Rumours. The Opposition's Forlorn Hope. A Forecast. WELLINGTON, Sept. 10. Disquieting rumours Lave been circulated late yesterday and early to-day, with regard to an intended attack on the Government at an early date. Statement or no Statement, moderate policy or no policy, borrowing or no borrowing, the attempt was to be made. But to give colour to it, the story was industriously spread that millions, varying in numbers according to the teller, but all agreeing in respectability of amount, were certain to be added to the burthens of the Colony very shortly by the present administration. The whole thing wears the aspect of a Forlorn Hope,, and Mr Mitchelson, the hero who was to lead it, looks as if ready for sacrifice in the probable defeat that his band would suffer I if he really wore to make the rash attempt. Success was to be crowned, if the plan worked out, with the formation of another new Ministry, this time without Major Atkinson who, possibly, from a distaste f«r Forlorn Hopes, has to stand out of. the affair altogether, and allow younger mea to try their hands. But on thinking over the scheme it seems to present so many points of improbability, that I fancy this is about the last your readers will hear of it. First of all, there is the present placid temper of the House to cfeal with, a vis inertia which even the rousing excitement of Forlorn Hopes could not easily stir. Secondly, there is the determination to " let well alone," and give the new men a chance, a theory which has advanced from the shadowy impalpability of mere theoretical existence, to the real solid life of an established principle. Thirdly, there is the extreme unlikelihood that Major Atkinson would, of Ms own accord, be left out in the cold. And fourthly, there is that ugly fact to face, a large and growing majority of the other side. It is as well to concede to an old political campaigner a certain amount of calculation and astuteness. These things grow round them insensibly. Defeat would mean ruination to his party, and unless certain victory shone bright behind the storm of the Forlorn Hope, Major Atkinson is not the man to indulge in such rashness. However, time will show the justice or injustice of these forecasts.