THE POLITICAL DEADLOCK.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2309, 29 August 1881, Page 3

THE POLITICAL DEADLOCK.

[Bv Tblbgbafh.] [PBOM AN OCCASIONAL OOBBESPONDBNT OF THB “ PBEBS.”! WELLINGTON, August 27. Tho obstructionists talked against time without any difficulty till half-past twelve last night, the Government party keeping a quorum present in order to compel their opponents to make as great an exhibition of themselves as possible. It was a dreary and degrading affair, but perfectly good tempered ut d free from any offensive element. Mr Seddon spoke during half the sitting, and the rest wos filled up by Mr Pitt and Mr Lovcstatn, Mr Gibbs finding himself unequal to tho task. Towards one o’clock, when according to standing orders no now business could be taken, the obstructionists ceased speaking o allow the question of adjournment to be carried. The Premier then rose, and in carefully chosen words “ deplored the wicked waste of tho time of the country, caused by this deliberate attempt on the part of a small minority to coerce the majority in Parliament with respect to an important measure of public policy. He had been a member of the Legislature for a great many years, and had seen similar attempts made again and again, but had never seen one of them succeed. Ho and his colleagues and supporters and those who were acting with them were determined that this one should not succeed, [Cheers.] He felt certain that he was expressing the views of nine-tenths of tho people of Now Zealand—[Dissent from the Nelson members] in condemning the obstruction of tho whole business of Parliament. [Loud cheers from all parts of tho House]—and ho trusted that he should be supported in any stops that might be found necessary for overcoming that obstruction if it were persisted in.” [Cheers.] Mr Ryllcston spoke warmly, but in very tem perate language, much to tho same effect. Mr Reeves defied the Government and indulged in one of his usual speeches. Major Harris brought tho sitting to a close with a few good humored remarks. There is a strong and growing tendency towards an alliance between tho Canterbury and Otago members, all of the latter, with the exception of two or throe, supporting the Government against tho stonewalling. The only Canterbury member who supports tho stonewall is Mr Andrews, who is understood to have gone over dead against the interests of Christchurch. He has not yet made I imself at all conspicuous, however, and ho may probably sec his mistake when he realises the true issue of tho struggle. Several Aucklond members, several from Hawke's Bay and Wellington, all three from Taranaki, and two or three from the West Coast support tho Government, without respect to party lines. Sir George Grey has identified himself to a certain extent with the obstructionists. Mr Ormond votes with them, but otherwise holds aloof altogether. Tho Wellington papers, to tho astonishment of everybody, oppose the Representation Bill and encourage the obstructionist. The “Evening Post” recommends that the Bill should bo stonewalled to death j” tho “N.Z Times” this morning blames the Premier severely for

his motion for adopting the Standing Order: of the House of Commons and condemns the Representation Bill. There is an agitation being fomented to induce Mr Levin, one of the city members, to join the stonewall ; there is no likelihood of its succeeding, but it shows the state of feeling here. What makes it so strange is that Wellington is deeply interested in tho passing of the Bill, not only because the city will gain a member, but because the increased influence of Canterbury will be an effectual safeguard against separation or the removal of the seat of Government so long as Canterbury and Wellington work together. If the agitation in Wellington becomes at all formidable, it will bo strongly resented by the Otago and Canterbury members, and some motion will probably be brought forward in consequence. The ultimate passing of the Representation Bill is regarded os certain, but the struggle will very likely develope some unexpected changes in the constitution of parties.