POLITICAL NEWS.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 561, 24 January 1891, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS.

’ OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. t —— f GOVERNMENT ROMANCISTS PUT TO THE BLUSH. i ” , MINISTRY RESIGN—MR BALLANCE i SENT FOR. i THE DEFEATED MINISTRY PACK I THE COUNCIL. ! GOVERNOR SNUBS THE PEOPLE. ' CONSIDERS THEM NOBODY IN THE MATTER. [special to the standard.] Wellington, last night. ' Parliament was formally opened this afternoon. At noon Sir Harry Atkinson resigned his seat in the House, and he was subsequently appointed to the Council, The first division of the session soon took place, on the Speakership of the Lower House. The Government nominated Mr Rolleston as Speaker, getting Mr Saunders, an opponent, to do this. Mr Seddon proposed Mr Stewart, on behalf of the Opposition, and the latter had h big majority, 36 to ag. The Government, anticipating defeat, pretended not to treat the appointment as a party affair. Two deputations waited on the Government this morning, protesting against the appointments to the Legislative Council. Mr Rees was one of the first deputation, the petition presented being signed by 40 members. The Governor said the appointments had actually been made : he was not responsible to any person jn the colony, and the matter would be reported in due course to the Secretary of State. There is great indignation at the way the people are being treated in this matter. Whatever may be the Governor’s authority in point of form, it is considered a scandalous thing that such appointments should be made on the recommendation of a defeated Ministry, and then for the people to be told that they are nobody in the matter This is the more objectionable when it is considered that absolute power for life Is placed in the hands of members of the Legislative Council, who can reject any Bill passed by the direct representatives of the people. The appointment of Sir Harry Atkinson is not so much objected to as the means by which pe has beer. ■’ spirited ” into the position. The appointments are—Sir Harry Atkinson, Messrs Downie-Stewart, Fulton, ( Whyte, Ormond, Johnston, and Bowen. i _ Mr Mitchelson has announced the re- 1 signation of the Government. 1 Mr Ballance has been sent for, and has 1 undertaken to form a Ministry. He is < expected to make a statement to the ' House on Tuesday. * Many conjectures are made as to the ' new Ministry, but nothing definite is ' known. Mr Rees has a good chance of , being included, but there arc so many ; men to choose from that the selection will J be a very delicate matter. Mr Rees may 1 be tfonsideted tea impetuous, and there i

is a leaning towards those who fought with the Opposition through the past session, so that he has many obstacles in the path. Besides, it is well known that he would always be a good man in the ranks and is in no sense selfish. At a caucus last night it was decided to leave Mr Ballance quite unfettered in the selection of a Cabinet. In the course of his speech Mr Ballance said that in the new House party lines were clearly defined. Mr Fisher is likely to be appointed Chairman of Committees.