The Ministerial Caucus.

Hastings Standard, Issue 461, 27 October 1897, Page 3

The Ministerial Caucus.

[By Telegraph.] [Fkom our Special Reporter.] Wellington, Oct. 26. At this afternoon's Ministerial caucus the Premier emphasised the necessity of progress being made with the business of the country and complained of the great waste of time there had been during the present session. He spoke of the necessity of taking Wednesdays for Government business. Mr Geo. Fisher, referring to the action of Messrs Smith, Pirani, Taylor, and Montgomery, said that while independence of character was one thing, independence, insolence, deliberate insult, treachery, and spying were quite different matters. He protested against Sir R. Stout's myrmidoius attending the Ministerial caucuses, and cautioned the Premier that a further bowing of the knee of the Government to the "Left Wing" would drive staunch Ministerialists to the other side of the House. Similar observations fell from Mr Morrison, but the Premier was evidently not in favor of ignoring the " Left Wingers " and no action was taken. The Premier raised the question of his connection with the Anglo-Con-tinental Company, and said if it was contended by his supporters that he was not justified in holding that position he would resign the Premiership. He had been offered a salary under the Mining Syndicate of more than double his Ministerial emolument, but had refused to desert his party. An invitation that members of the caucus should express their views on the question brought Messrs G. T. Smith and Montgomery to their feet with the ultimatum that, in the event of Mr Seddon's connection with the foreign syndicates being made a party one, they would vote with the Opposition, even to the extent of putting the Government out of office. The Minister of Lands said he was in a different position to the Premier in that he had a farm to go back to, and if the party or House were to ask him to give up his private business relations he would retire from the Ministry at a moment's notice. The Minister of Railways delivered himself in the same strain in regard to his own private affairs. Several members while individually holding that the Premier should give his undivided attention to public business, said they would stick by him should an adverse motion be tabled.

The question of the Horowhenua Block Bill was raised by Mr Pir.uii, and an assurance was given by the Premier that the matter would be submitted to the Party when the Bill was finally decided on. Someone brought up the question of adjournment to enable the members to visit the Christchurch show and races, but on the Premier putting his foot down firmly and saying that business must be pushed on an emphatic negative summarily disposed of the proposal. lie Sessional Committees, the Premier intimated that he proposed to compromise the matter by substituting some of the Opposition members in lieu of those suggested by Government as nominees, thus smoothing over the difficulty. Finally Mr Seddon informed the Caucus that he hoped to prorogue on December 15th, which is generally interpreted as meaning a week later.