The State of Parties

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 3, 18 June 1885, Page 2

The State of Parties

Affairs are very quiet in the House just now, but wise and experienced political weather prophets surmise that it is the calm which precedes the storm. It is well known that the northern members are angry and disgusted at the Native Ministers Land Bill, espeiially the Auckland members. The Local Government Bill will require all the power of Ministers to puJl it through. The fatal clinging to the plank of protection will prevent Major Atkinson getting any recruits even from the most discontented members. The great contest of the future will be between the Protectionists of the towns, and the Freetraders of the country. One cry will do quite as well as another. The relationships between Sir Julius Yogel, and Mr Stout, the Premier, are more strained than ever; Mr Stout seems to feel keenly his subordinate position and he has not the taot to conceal it. He evidently fears being twitted with it in the debates now coming on. Sir Julius who is more goodnatured and an abler tactician may be able to steer his somewhat clumsy colleague through the shoals and quicksands that beset him, if he only submit to the master hand of Mb pilot. That the breach between these Ministers will be carefully widened by the gallant Major;

everybody expects. The majority on the Government side of the House will be less than last session, but it is not Rkely that it wiU further diminish, so Ministers are safe for a term. _^_i_M_^_B-a_a