Manawatu Herald. FRIDAY. OCTOBER 24, 1879. THE POLITICAL DEADLOCK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 18, 24 October 1879, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. FRIDAY. OCTOBER 24, 1879. THE POLITICAL DEADLOCK.

The deadlock between the two parties in the House of Representatives continues, and the business of the country is at a standstill. Neither party is disposed to give way. Mr Hall and his party, who hold the Treasury benches, decline to allow the no-confidence motion to come on until they have had a fair opportunity of submitting their policy to the House ; whilst Mr Macandrew and his following are equally determined that no business shall be done until tEe no-confience motion is decided. A deadlock is the result, and the House of Representatives each day is turned into a debating club, members talking against time. In pursuing their present determined action, we think the Government are to blame. They have accepted office, and dare not go to a division on the question of no-confidence. If they do not possess a. working majority, we think that clearly their duty is to resign, and allow Mr Maeandrew to form a. Cabinet.' We .doubt- very much if he would succeed in gaining a working majority, as parties are so evenly balanced. The defection of a single supporter from either one side or the other may decide the fate of a Ministry whilst the numbers are so close. The outcome of the struggle it is difficult to predict. The attitude of the Government is determined, and they undoubtedly have the whip hand, being able to postpone the no-confi-dence motion indefinitely. The Opposition, anxious for power, and possessing a bare majority, are equally determined not to allow the Government to bring on their Bills. Another dissolution is broadly hinted as the only way out of the difficulty, and the subject is being canvassed both in the House itself and in the newspapers. The Evening Post declares that "If the Opposition persist in their present tactics, the only remedy will be a dissolution, and there is little doubt that it will be resorted to if thus rendered necessary," whilst the Hon J. Hall declared on Tuesday evening that it might be necessary to appeal to the country, but the Government had no desire to put the country to the trouble, turmoil, and expense of a general election, if good Government could be carried on without it. On the other side, Mr Sheenan openly dared the Government to such a trial of strength, and declared that if resorted to, it would give his party a large majority. Whilst these conflicts for place are being Carried on, time and money are being wasted ; payments due to contractors are stopped, and the real work of Parliament is delayed. How long this will go on we cannot tell. But in the present depressed slate of trade, a serious injustice is being done to the people of the Colony, by supplies not being granted. If the Government is in the minority, and they cling tenaciously to office, then the responsibility must rest upon them.