POLITICAL NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1711, 14 November 1887, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

(from our correspondent.)

Wbilingxok, November 12.

The meetlcg of protectionists this morning was brought to a conclusion at suoh a lata hour tbat it is impossible to go Into details m time for to-day 'a issue. Protectionists look on the meeting as the most important caucus held this session, and are congratulating themselves that the meeting they are now engaging In is likely to bear good fruit poßßlbly before the present session is concluded: The following members were present : —Messrs Moss (m the chair) Seddon, Pratt, Feldwlck, Lcreitam, Steward, Fraaer, Fieh, Jones, K-lly, W. P. Reaves, Fltohet, Taylor, R. Beeves, Thomson, Buxton, Taiwhanga, Kerr, Oadman, Lowry, Monk, Downie Stewart, Perceval, Goldle, Lsrnaoh and Joyce. Apologies were received from fonr others, inolading Messrs Ballanoe and E. Richardson, and ten others were aocounted for as j having intimated a deairetobe present, but who found it impossible to attend then, This makes 41 all told but the Protectionists deolare that there are 53 members m the present Parliament pledged to Protection. Forty-two of these sit on the Opposition benohes, whilst 11 are ■upportera of the Government, three of the latter number being Ministers. The hopes of the party haverlaea considerably as to their ability to beoome a lever la the political situation of to-day, and the Individual members of the party are already willing to throw down the Protectionist gauntlet and make a battle with the Government if the latter will not yield to their demands, and at once take In hand the revision of the tariff.

As I informed your by telegram this afternoon, a deputation waited on tbe Premier to obtain from him, if possible, a pledge to deal with the tariff this aesßion and that Major Atkinson replied that he would not deal with the tariff this session. He said further that Government proposed to call Parliament together again m April, 1888, if possible, and would then give the question of tbe tariff prominence m the businesi of that session. He professed to be able to biing down a tariff which would be found acceptable both to Freetraders and Protectionists, and without indicating m what manner this was to be brought about, he professed a desire to encourage local industries but was neither a Freetrader or a Protectionist himself His reaaon for not proposing to deal with the subject tbls session was that it would take two or three months to prepare a tariff. After the success of the meeting of Protectionißts,this morning this reply is naturally looked on with strong dissatis faction, and some regard the action of the Government as a snub for the reason that the deputation pledged the whole of the Protectionist party's support to the Government, if they would only bring down a, protective tariff this session, Major Atkinson's reply is considered an ultimatum from the Government side, and the Protectionists will now hold another meeting on Monday morning to consider the matter. 'Jhere is certainly a very strong feeling among Protectionists that Government should be forced to recou aider what they consider a serious question, and made to face an undoubted difficult position, the more bo as they claim to have aD absolute majority m the House. Major Atkinson, Messrs Fisher and Mitoheiaon are all declared Protectionists, the latter at the late election having fought his election almost wholly on the Protection ticket. Promineot men on the Opposition side of the House, such as Sir J. Yogel and Mr Ballonce, are Protectionists, and it is openly said that the Protection party will force the position, and make the 'definition of party lines clear on the question of protection, and it is further hinted that by the coalition of the present leaders on both sides of the House, strong Protectionist Government and policy cau be obtained. Wellington, November 14.

Although 1 only wired you on Saturday tbe Protectionist view of the situation it must not be supposed the matter ends there. Whilst there eeems little doubt of a majority of Protectionists m the Honse, the number of Protectionists on the Government side leave the Opposition m b minority, if Ministerial Protectionists »re satisfied with Major Atkinson's promise to deal with the tariff at an early session to be held m April next, and would vote with the Government on tbe Protectionist amendment which micht involve the existence of the Ministry. Among these sra the Auckland Protectionisms who appear willing to allow their Protectionist sympathies linger till next session, A meeting qi Protectionists is now being held at the Parliamentary buildings, and rumors abound as to the Intention of the party, apart from Protectionist action. It is rumored that Sir G. Grey contemplates a hostile move, being much Incensed at the oppoel ion of the Ministerial party to his Bills, and the rumor 1b to the effeot that no hostile amendment will bo moved during the finanolal debate, but that any action will be by independent and separate motions. A meeting of members Interested In Protection was held this morning! at which there were present 21 members, a number of others who would have attended being engaged at meetings of Select Committee. A r^BolcMon was passed appointing a Committees, comprising Meters Perceval, Seddon, Moss, W. P f Reeves, Ward, W. D. Stewart, Cadman, and Prasor to tyatoh the poujrao of events and bring up a series of suggestions for ft meeting whioh will bo held to morrow morning at 9 30, when a larger attendance is expeoted. Letters were received from Messts Goldie, La wry and T, Thompson, stating that though they were m favcr of protection they would not support any resolution which would have the effect of ousting the Government, as they are satisfied wLh the promise of the Government to deal with the matter during the recess* It 1b expected that at the meeting to-morrow the advisability of bringing In a direct motion will be dfecuased