THE CRISIS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2202, 17 August 1889, Page 2

THE CRISIS.

Although it is possible that ere this morning's issue is m the hands of our readers the division on Mr Moss' amendment may have been taken, yet at the time of writing it appears quite as probable that the discussion will be carried on into next week. As we said m our last the issue is « complicated one, and it is a pity it is so, as it would have been more satisfactory had the question of Property Tax versus Income and Land Tax been raised per se, and decided without relation to the general question of confidence or no confidence m the Government. As it is there will be % curious mixing up m the division, some on either side finding themselves m exactly the opposite lobby to that into which they would have gone upon either issue put separately. We are disposed to think that under all the circumstances the most desirable result would be that the Government should just barely win. The country would then escape the dis organisation of business consequent upon the holding oi a general election, and Ministers would have a sufficiently pronounced hint of the necessity of a more prudent administration. Whether or not the Government will escape with their lives is, however, very difficult to predict ; to use a Hibernicism "the odds seem to be about even," and it is quite on the cards that the amendment may be carried. If so Ministers will undoubtedly ask for a dissolution, and it remains to be seen what the Governor will do m that case. The question of the form of direct taxation is one on which they may fairly claim to go to the country, but there is on this occasion a i diffipulty m the way of making the appeal The now Representation. Act and Amendment Act not only necessitate very extensive alteration m the electoral districts, but it is also specifically provided that after the Commissioners have mapped out the proposed districts they are to gazette the boundaries to give time for the lodging of objections there* to, and for consideration of these objections ; after which only can the boundaries remain. This will take not less than three months, and as the new* writs cannot be issued until all this has been done, and from the date of issue of the writs to the date of the reassembling of Parliament fully two months more will elapse, we have altogether a period of five months. It therefore follows, we think, that a dissolution would only be granted by his Excellency contingently on supply being granted to cover at least that period. Should the House refuse supply the sending for Mr Moss or Mr Ballance would be the only alternative, But would the House refuse it ? We do not think it would ; for the question of Property Tax yersua Income and Land Tax disposed of, members will we opine return to their allegiance to their respective parties, Government and Opposition, and if so, Bir H Atkinson will be able ip command a sufficient majority jt'o carry the money votes required' in that case. Supposing Ministers to be defeated ajfc jthe impending djvisjon a. general ejection may be looked for some time m i January next, — ' ' Mail.''