The Daily Times. The oldest manawatu journal : Established 1875. MONDAY, MAY 12, 1884. THE STATE OF PARTIES.

Manawatu Times, Volume X, Issue 1234, 12 May 1884, Page 2

The Daily Times. The oldest manawatu journal : Established 1875. MONDAY, MAY 12, 1884. THE STATE OF PARTIES.

Politics m New Zealand just now are decidedly mixed. The Ministerial party has no doubt suffered greatly since last session ; not perhaps, so far as votes are concerned, but m the estimation of the electors, Were there a strong party, well-or* ganised, and united Opposition, the Ministry would not live a week after the opening of the session. But that is what there is not at present, and, we may add, never will be while Sir George Grey continues to actively take part m politics. Major Atkinson has at his back a party united for selfrprotection. The land monopolists,, and other moneyed in* terests will support him to the death. Against him are the Montgomery party, which numbers about two« thirds of the Opposition, and the Greyites, who make up the other third. Between the two sections of the Opposition there is little prospect of amalgamation. In his speech at Christchurch Sir G. Grey absolutely ignored Mr Montgomery's leadership, and stated m bold terms his intention to follow no man. He will " go alone," and at all hazards play " a lone hand." His motto is, 7< Aut Casar, aut nullus." Others may follow him. He will not follow them. And yet, despite all his abil* jty, eloquence, and experience of men, the colony's experience of him is just the reason why he oan never again lead a party. He has been weighed m the balances and found wanting. The great political revival which hie, eloquence brought about m 1877. when ke stumped tbe cQlqny m favor of Land Reform, Manhood Suffrage, Triennial Parliaments, &c, showed his superlative power inawak^ ening public opinion and directing it, and yet, although he had a large maa jority more servile than* Atkinson ever had, not one of bis great reform measures became law until the Hall Ministry took them m hand, This experience lost Sir George Grey for ever his right to the leadership of any party As the Lyttelto* Times said, on the eve of his Christchurch meeting lftst Wednesday, his conduct may be forgiven, but it pannot be forgotten, No doubt' it is this very fact that Sir G. Grey was a failure as a leader wßich causes Major At* kinson to single him out as the lea* der pf the Opposition, and to ignore Mr Mojfttgomory. Nev©rihole#»,

v-Ml' (..<. Grey is riullioiently a pmv:<p jin poiitins to hold the gume m ;.-is lnuidti. His following is compart, ami can put out the Mini. sir/, \e heliove, next session, if united wi.h Mr Montgomery's followers. Wh.tt wo should expect Sir George Grey to do \rould be to put the Atkinson party on t fi rsr. and then vef n se to putthe Montgomery party m unless on his own terms. It those terms involve the Premiership ibr Sir (1. Grey, Atkinson will remain m office. But just at this point a still fur* ther disturbingjelemeut is introduced, Sir Julius Yogel being about to enter Parliament as representative for the East Coast. If he takes an active part m politics, that is, if he comes out as a leader, it is tolerably certain he will propose some startling policy which will rapidly break up existiug parties. It will be a good thing if lie succeeds m iorming a strong and united party. As at present constix tuted the Opposition cannot fulfil its legitimate functions, and on this fact the Ministry are trading. Nor will any improvement be effected while Grey and Montgomery divided the Opposition. If, " however, another man were to arise who could overshadow both of them, another era might come about. That man may turn up m Sir Julius Yogel. Still, as we said at the beginning, politics just now are decidedly mixed.