POLITICAL NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 48, 24 July 1885, Page 4

POLITICAL NEWS.

THE MINISTRY AND THE HOUSE.

i (Correspondent of Auckland Herald.) - Matters still drift along m a vague, irregular sort of a way.. There is no sign as yet ot any vigorous action on the part of.' the. Government m the direction of a definite policy by which they will. stand or fall. . Ministers seeia deti-r---tninrtd to let the House do what it likes wij.li all 'measures submitted by the Government. How long this will continue to ; make things unpleasant remains to be seen. T.he- impression, however, seems to be increasing that Ministers will fln-i themselves compelled to make a Btand at some point, and th t- then they will ntii a serious risk of defeat if the issu.s is taken on any wof tlu-ir ineasuivs, and not on an actunl vote of nb-confid.encei Of one thing, however, I anivqnite -convinced. Sli'oiild the GovWnnient encounter a defeat and resign, the Aikinson party would certainly not allow themselves to b<s forced into office iiuless, :therfi should be a satisfactory assurance that they woiilti beadfquatfijy supported by the House. My own opinion is.that if Ministers were to be defeated m a short time h-nce the present Opposition party would decline office, and would rath t favour an opportunity being given to the party now m power, to form a fresh combination themselves or a coalition, if that coul i be satisfactorily arranged. Of course m this latter connection, $ir Julius Vogtl is the main. difficulty, as it would not be easy to settle his future position m colonial politics.; The' sense of <lissapointment and dissatisfaction with the results of his return to power is manifestly deepening, and instead of his being th« strong man of the Ministr/ he is now commonly looked on as the jreak pointji. iHis petition,,- for payment on account of services rendered during [his Agent-Generalship is not at all favourably liegarded, and appeals to elicit condemnation on all sides. _ The riimotirs,""tbo,'tliat a.moyemeiit is on foot to pitchfork him into th'« p - rm.ttient headship of .the^ Govecnmenf Insurance Association has excited strong disapprobation.