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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1094, 21 October 1879, Page 2

Political matters in Wellington seem to be in a somewhat doubtful position just at present. That the Opposition, headed by Mr. Macandrew, is in a majority none can deny : but owing to tiie peculiar form.-; of the House enabling tiie (Government to evade a discussion on the no-confidence motion, by resorting to all manner of devices, then; seems to be some doubt as to when the question of who ahull govern the country will be brought forward. The Opposition have made an offer to the Ministerial party to vote supplies to meet present demands upon the Treasury, provide.! that the debate is allowed to come on immediately afterwards. To this o'iV-r n<> reply has been received, but on the contrary the Ministerialists appear determined by every means in their power to refuse to test the question of confidence, and have resolved to still further '"brazen the ninitor out," and set the majority of the people's repicseiitative.? at defiance. W'c are told that at a m-jeliiu of the Government party "it was unanimously resolved that the Government should insist on their measures of electoral reform being passed into law, and be prepared to have recourse to all constitutional expedieri'.s for that purpose." Wc arc assured further that " the meeting ■was characterised by great determination and unanimity." Thus it would appear that Mr. Hall and his followers, having got into power by a fluke, are determined to remain there as long as the forms of the Jlouse and the possession of a vnsr amount of impudence will permit them. Tiu-y cannot, however, carry on without supplies ; and it is highly probable that when the House is called upon this evening to vote money to carry on the work of government, the motion for going into Committee of Supply will be met with an amendment declaring that the House has no confidence in the Government. This course would be an extreme one to adopt, entailing, as it would, the non-payment for a time of contractors, civil servants, &c. ; but, under the circumstances, it is one that Mr. Macandrew would be fully justified in following. He has shown that he has no fjesirc to embarrass the Ministry or injure the Colony ; he has undertaken on behalf of his party to vote supplies provided the Ministry will at once " come up to the scratch" and allow the House to say whether or not they shall remain in power. The Ilall party have declined to accede to these reasonable terms, and upon their heads must rest the blame for any inconvenience the country may be put to in coii.scijuencc of the withholding of supplies.