The Fielding Star. TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 1885. The Financial Debate

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 8, 30 June 1885, Page 2

The Fielding Star. TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 1885. The Financial Debate

The disappointment of the friends of Major Atxixson, at his speech on the financial proposals of his master, Sir Julius Vooel, is said to be vory great. Hopes were built on the acknowledged ability of the Loader of the Opposition in attack, and it was confidently expected that when running a tilt with Sir Julius he would be able to overthrow and discomfit the latter with those lessons taught him during his callow days in finance. We were not of this belief, for even supposing that the men were on an intellectual level — which they are not — the experience in debate the Major has had during the past years must have unfitted him for a contest where the positions are reversed. From the Treasury Benches he could thunder forth, like the Olympic Jove, and make the mere mortals who ventured to question his high handed governing, tremble before him. The mana given by his position more than compensated for a considerable lack of tact, and attached men to him who, now that he is in the cold shades of the Opposition, have nolonger an object in being bis submissive followers. He would therefor be wanting in the courage which is always given by the certainty of victory, when he opposed himself to his old chief. Sir Julius on his part, seems to have replied in a very tame style, and led a number to think that he was treating a present enemy as if the time was not far distant when he would salute him as a friend. Mr Wakefield was as usual brilliant and effective. He made several telling points, which must have caused Sir Julius to regret he had not effected an alliance, offensive and defensive, with this Free-lance or Rupebt of Debate.} The small fry will no doubt break lances with each other to give- constituencies intimation that their interests are not being neglected, and so the debate will be protracted in its weary length by much useless verbiage. We do not think for one moment that the position of Ministers is in the slightest danger. The Customs Tariff, whick is the present bone of contention, will be so modified that all and several of its most earnest opponents will be, satisfied with the concessions — real or imaginary — which will be made to them.