PARLIAMENTARY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 279, 12 July 1889, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

The state of parties in the House is very singular. The leader being one who retains that position by the support of his opponents, and these opponents are led by one who has not the confidence ■of many of the country representatives. The Freetrade party is unfortunately small, but they will shortly cement themselves together, and use the power they have, to restrain the too aggressive action of the protectionists, t is said that the*- re stronger than is imagined, bub for the g .od of the colony they cannot be too strong 'I he Representation Bill which is only another name for t c Hare system will not be passed, the Premier befog wiling to sacrific this principle. The fight upon the Bill, which would thus become another measure will be on the " qnota." The country members who have set up a committee, consisting of Messrs eymonr, Lance, Macarthui*, Wilson, Fulton, Seidon, Russell and Stewart are urging on the Premier for a 38$ per cent, but the Government will only agree to a 25 per cent. At this early stage ir Harry Atkinson is talking of taking the very high stand of insisting on his proposal being agreed to o> of appealing to the country, but if the committee can prove to him that they can defeat him, ho will find it more agreeable to accept the position. If he doe« this, there appears every lik ihood of his Government retaining the possession of their offices for another twelve months.