The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1887. Parliament

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 115, 5 April 1887, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1887. Parliament

Members will meet for the despatch of business on Tuesday the 26th inst. It is apparent to all who have watched the course of political events during the past two years, that the coming Session will be marked as one during which some of the most important but fruitless debates will take place that have ever been heard in New Zealand Parliament. Some, of the measures to be brought down by the Government are most important and— if carried — will have weighty influence on the future history and prosperity of the colony. The Eepresentation Bill will certainly cause a violent conflict between the northern and southern members, as its effect will be to deprive the South of three members, adding the same number to the North. It cauuot be expected that the Southern men will part with this privilege without a struggle, which will probably end by a compromise or the rejection of the Bill in-t«to. The pro posed bill to grant the franchise to women will be introduced by a Minister, but not as a government measure. Its fate is easily foretold. There will be a great amount of talk, many witty speeches made — and — the Bill laid aside for a future session, embalmed with the tearß of "Our sisters, our cousins and our aunts." The Ministerial scheme for the resumption of estates will probably be passed, as it is only proposed to expend £50,000 in any one year upon the repurchase of land now in the hands of settlers. The deficiency of £150,000 in the revenue will be explained by the Colonial Treasurer, while Major Atkinson will prove, to his own satisfaction at least, how much better he and his party would have managed the financial business of the country had they occupied the Ti-easury Uenehes in place of the Stout- Vogel party. Although there will be plenty of bitter fighting done, yet we do not expect much real work will be accomplished. Each speaker may feel that this being the last time he will pose as a member of Parliament, it will be necessary for him to speak and vote in a manner which shall recommend him to his cor.a ituents for " continuation of past favors." Such being the possible case, it appears likely to us that new lines of political parties may be laid down, and the great question of Freetrade versus Protection made the watchwords of two clearly defined factions. Hitherto men, not measures, have been the moving causes. "lam of Yogel and I am of Atkinson" have been the watchwords of the bold, while the feeble neutrals have wavered from the weaker to the stronger party as their own private interests or the breath of public opinion wafted towards one or the other. Our only regret is that one of the acknowledged leaders has not declared himself for Freetrade. An opportunity will now be given, in cunsoquence of this lapse, of some "small man" taking a lead to which ho may not be entitled either by ability or special knowledge of the subject. We have every confidence in the strength of the present Government, and believe they will preserve their majority and power in the House to the end of the Session.