The Wanganui Chronicle, AND PATEA-RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." MONDAY, JUNE 1, 1891.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 11282, 1 June 1891, Page 2

The Wanganui Chronicle, AND PATEA-RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." MONDAY, JUNE 1, 1891.

According to the Wellington Press it is the intention of the Opposition to meet the Government with a noconfidence motion immediately upon the re-assembling of Parliament. So far as we can hear, there is no ground for- believing that the Opposition will be so precipitate in their action. At present they have not even, a recognised leader, and the commission of five members to which was entrusted the management of party affairs last session was only intended to last for the session, and not for the recess. Who, indeed, is authorised to speak with authority for the Opposition just now, we do not know. That is really the question that requires to be settled first of all. And, if we know anything of the mind of the Opposition members, it, will be the first business they will undertake and determine. Having resolved to elect a leader, the next question is, who is to ba the man ? Obviously it must be one of three — Mr Bryce, Mr Rolleston, or Captain Russell. Each of these gentlemen has his circle of admirers and supporters — and probably, if the Opposition was to succeed to power, they would all be pressed to accept a place in the new Government. In the meantime, as it would certainly be ruinous to the prospects of the party to attempt to go oil with divided leadership, it will be incumbent upon members to exhibit a willingness to waive their personal predilections for any particular candidate in favour of whichever gentleman may be found to be most generally supported. An unusual difficulty will have to be overcome with respect to the gentlemen 'themselves. Ordinarily, where three competent men are put forward by their fellows for a distinguished position, the difficulty is to induce anyone of the number to stand aside, or to acquiesce with a good grace in the selection of either of the • other two. In the case we are considering the difficulty is just the 1 other way. It will probably be found : that neither Mr Bryce, Mr Rolleston, : nor Captain Russell will care to be .( put in competition for the leadership. Wo know that Mr Bryce is j strongly averse to being put forward , by his friends for the position. In- , deed, there is just the danger that ; he may prevent- the party from I exercising the full privilege of choice . by absolutely declining to be put j forward at all. There is a similar , difficulty with Captain Russell. He ( is strongly disinclined to even thirst • for first place, while he believes 1 there are two such men as Messrs , Bryce and Rolleston available. The j latter gentleman everybody knows 1

is wont to place public duty first, and himself and his personal interests second. He. is not so shy or nei'vous as to be afraid to accept responsibility — but he will never move one step to advance any claims of Ms own as against those of bis friends, against the apparent wish of the majority of his party. With these gentlemen, each of whom is so disinclined to supplant his friend, what is to be done ? For the public good it will be their duty to submit themselves to the choice of the party, aud be prepared courageously to lead or loyally to follow as may be decided upon. Until this question of leadership is finally settled, it is obvious that there can be no determination arrived at as to the moving of a motion of want of confidence, at any rate by a reprepresentative of the party. It is possible, of course, that the Wellington Evening Press may prove right after all, and the motion come from a disappointed member of the 'Government party itself.