The Confidence Debate.

Manawatu Herald, 1 July 1899, Page 2

The Confidence Debate.

On Tuesday the Hon. Capt. Russell moved as an amendment to the Adress in Reply the following motion : — " We would respectfully inform your Excellency that inasmuch is no Royal Commission can constitutionally inquire into the conduct of Ministers in relation to their departments, and whereas Ministers have on a former and similar occasion pleaded their constitutional privileges to exempt them from giving evidence- before a Royal Commission, the House affirms its undoubted right to fully inquire into the connection of Ministers with the issue of a master's certificate to Captain Jones, of the Duco, independently of any inquiry by the Royal Commission." The Premier accepted this as a want of confidence motion. The N.Z. Times says, not only are most people confident that the result will be an easy victory for the Government, but prominent members of the Opposition are said to have declared very emphatically that their party really wishes the amendment to be defeated. They are so satisfied, apparently, that an appeal to the country just now would result in the defeat of their party, that they will not even give the Ministry an opportunity of " riding tor a fall." Ministerialists are by no means anxious for a dissolution, and they intend- to present a solid front that will make the defeat of the amendment a certainty. A careful pricking of the card discloses a majority of four for the Government atter allowing for the defection of one or two Liberals. The Opposition Whips are prepared to concede so much ; but some eager partisans claim that the division will be closer.