THE POLITICAL SITUATION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1869, 16 June 1888, Page 3

THE POLITICAL SITUATION

.T. "♦ The division upon the Becond reading of the Customs Tariff Bill serves to show the relative strength of the Protectionists and Freetrade parties. The former, which is the Government side, polled 53 votes, "while the Freetraders mustered 29, or counting pairs 31, against 55. This accounts for 86 members m all leaving 9 unaccounted for. Of these 4 were absent from Wellington, while the Speaker is a £tth. Only 4 members who could have voted abstained front so doing. These wore Messrs Joyce, Kelly, J. McKengie and Pearson, who are either Freetraders or have no great sympathy with Protection. Three of these, however, are not likely to tako any action, hostile to the views of the Opposition who are ibainly Protectionists, but if they did the voting power of the Freetraders would only amount to a total of 85, only leaving the Protectionist a clear majority of 20. We have spoken of the Opposition just for the nonce. The term is a misnomer, for the Opposition Party proper are for the time being supporting the Government, while of the 35, who oppose the Tariff Bill, more than three fourths are old followers of Sir Harry Atkinson and seccsionists from the Government' pajty. An, attempt is being ma.de by the minority to eliminate the Protective clement of the Tariff by first demanding further economies, and then takipg the amount bo to be saved off the Proteptiye duties?. The party now led by Mr Beetham m this direction are astutely endeavouring to make it appear to the country tfyat the Protectionists desire to impose an unnecessary taxation. Members are, however, not at all likely to fall into the trap thus cunningly laid, and the Protectionists may be depended upon to stand together to secure those portions of the Tariff which arc calculated to aid the development of local industries, and will probably endeavor to relieve the taxpayers whenever possible by striking out non-protective imposts — such as the tea, salt, and common duties — and if need be substituting others of a less oppressive character. The straggle m Committee will doubtless be long and keen, but present indications point to the probability of the Tariff being parried through without vqry material alterations'. Ayhax will happen oftorwards it is impossible to predict. The Opposition ' proper will probably return to Opposition, and the Freetrade ' party will, we think, refuse to serve under the Government banner. If this be bo, then tn'ere will be. three parties m thfTHqusq] of Vhioh that led ty Sjr Harry will tib nunierically the weakei 1 , and at any moment at the mercy of the other two. This must, ere longj lead to one of two things— either the resignation of the i Ministry or its re-cohs.truqtion — and of tjje 'two the latter is, we ttiinkj \\\e mps'fc probab}oV " ' " ;