GOVERNMENT PAP.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2127, 9 July 1907, Page 2

GOVERNMENT PAP.

PROPOSED UNDEII-SECKE-T ARIES. KEEPING THE “COUNTRY PARTY” QUIET. (Special to Times.) ’WLLLINGTO.IN, last night. “The Country Party,” which held indignation meetings and threatened llio Government with all kinds or urouble and disaster when the Gaud Rill was before the House last year, nas been keeping singularly quiet .liii session. The members of the party. are jrrincipaily Government supporters, and it is hinted that their lack of activity is due to a surmise that the Government may give effect to a suggestion that has been current in respect to the appointment of a number of Parliamentary Under-Secretaries, for the purpose ol assisting Ministers in their administrative work. There is also the prospect, should the health of Mr. HallJones not improve sufficiently to enable him to resume office at the end of liis six months’ leave of absence, of a vacant portfolio being available for some faithful follower of the Government. Lobby gossip has already connected the names of at least two prominent members of tho Country Party with the suggested appointments of Un-der-Secretaries, which would of course carry a special salary, and he regarded,' no doubt, as serving as a step-ping-stone to possible higher honors in the future. It is obvious, however, that such appointments would not free the GoI veinment from embarrassment, as they would inevitably create lieart- | burning and discontent amongst the I many aspirants for the position wlio | would have to be left j.n the cold. 11l I view of this difficulty it is doubtful I whether the appointments will be I made. In the meantime, however, I the prospect created by the suggesI tion seems to have had the effect of I hardening up the party for the time I being, and if the Government keep I the coveted bait dangling before the I prominent members of the party the I position may continue to obtain for some little time. It is unlikely from I wliat I can learn, if the suggested I appointments took a special form, I that they would meet with favor in I either the House or country, there I being a prevalent feeling that the I expense of Government is already I sufficiently large. “Such a proposal would mean a I bigger row than tlie Land Bill is I likely to create,” said one member to I whom I spoke on the subject.