WELLINGTON NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6018, 29 August 1887, Page 4

WELLINGTON NOTES.

[By TELEGRAPfI.J

[from our own correspondent.]

WELLINGTON, August 28. It is admitted on all hands that the Go* vernment have faithfully kept their promise to call Parliament together at the earliest possible moment, and it is very doubtful, had the Atkinson party been placed in the position of the present Government, they would have been anything like as expeditious, although they contended that Parliament might be got together by Sept. 1. As a matter of fact, this was an utter impossibility ; the Government have not lost a day. not a moment, and yet the House cannot meet before Oct. 6, a fortnight sooner than the Under-Secre-tary believed a month ago could be case. The Colonial Secretary, the Undersecretary (Mr G. S. Cooper), and those under them deserve the greateafc oredit for the zeal they have displayed in preparing everything for the electors. Speaking upon the subject, the Post last night says s— "lt is admitted even by the Opposition that Government has loyally fulfilled its promise that the new Parliament should meet, without any unnecessary delay, and at the earliest possible date. No time has been wasted since the Representation Aot became law, and yet the earliest possible date is found to be Oct. 6, just about five weeks later than the date Major Atkinson declared practicable, and wished to tie the Governor and the Government down to. It was in vain Major Atkinson was told that it was impossible the new House could be called into existence, and brought together by Sept. 1, and very doubtful whether this could be accomplished in September at all. He declared he knew better, and actually carried an address to the Governor asking him to oause the new House to meet by September 1. How tremendously out in his calculations Major Atkinson was has now been proved, and yet we are asked to believe that this politician and financier who with the Acts before him and full knowledge of the various steps required to be taken, and the time necessarily apportioned to each, could not get nearer than five weeks, to the correct total, is to be relied •on to forecast the finances of the Colony and be entrusted with the guidance of its affairs. When Sir Julius Vogel'a estimates have proved incorrect or over sanguine, his want of precision has been eagerly seized on by Major Atkinson and his friends as a weapon of attack, but certainly Sir Julias "Yogel never made such an egregious error in his calculations as to finance as Major Atkinson now stands convicted of having made in his calculations as to the time necessary to bring the new Representation Act into operation, and assemble a new Parliament elected under it."

The elections here are beginning to create some excitement. Canvassers are out in all directions, and each candidate ascertains that he has the best chance. It is pretty certain, however, that the Government will not secure more than one seat in the city, theTe Aroseat, andbettingis even on that. The candidate supporting the Government and Protection are Messrs Coombe (South Wellington and Suburbs), F. H. Fraser (To Aro), W. M. Robertson (East Wellington), and William M'Lean (Thorndon). The candidates against are respectively Messrs Izard (solicitor and formerly a member of Parliament), Stuart Menteath (ex-M.H.E.), George Fisher (ex-M.H.R.), and Dr Newman (ex-M.H.8.) These can* didates are all good speakers, and up to all political tactics. The other side have, ■with the exception of Mr Fraser, -who was In the House tor two months, no political experience and are poor hands on the platform. The odds are, therefore, greatly against them, especially as Protection viewa are not over strong among the' City constituencies. However, nothing can be eaid positively until the numbers are up. The Government feel confident the country will endorse their policy and approve their administration, but should their opponents be found to have a majority on the day of the polling, the Ministry will not meet the House, but leave it to the other side to form an administration.

The Post considers the recent speech of Mr Cooke, the Chairman of the Canter* bury Chamber of Commerce, vary pleasant reading, after the dismal compliments and prophecies in which so many of our politicians have lately been indulging. Eef erring to Mr Cooke'a statement that the rabbit question is a xnora important ona than politics, the paper named says, "We are inclined to agree with him, so far at least as to hold that a great many of the candidates who are now spouting politics over the country would be much more usefully employed in rabbit catohing, and are muoh mpre fitted for the latter task than for Parliamentary work. But it is a sad reflection that oxter 33 years of constitutional life, politics in New Zealand should have to yield place to rabbits."