Political News.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 123, 5 May 1884, Page 2

Political News.

Notwithstanding that several gentlemen are running about displaying telegrams stating that Mr. McDonald's resignation has been placed in the hands of the Speaker, we steadfastly refuse to believe anything whatever which eminates from any such source, unti it receives due official confirmation.

[Per Press Association.] Marton, May 5. Sir William Fox has positively refused to stand for this district at the next election, as he intends going Home for the benefit of Lady Fox’s health. MR. MITCHELSON’S TOUR.—ARRIVAL AT WAITARA. New Plymouth, May 5. Mr. Mitchelson arrived at Waitara with the survey party last night. He did not come on to New Plymouth, and therelore jiu information is obtainable at present. The party have had flue weather, and thoroughly prospected the district. They have seen coal on the line of the proposed route. Mr. Mitchelson has gone to Stratford to-day and is not expected to reach New Plymouth till Wednesday. THE THORNDON SEAT. Wellington, May 5. At the nomination for Thorndon to-day Henry Bunny, Alfred Kiucombe Newman, and Thomas Dwan were proposed. The show of hands was in favor of the latter. The poll takes place on the 13th inst.

MR. F. J. MOSS AT NEWMARKET. In addressing his constituents at Newmarket last week, Mr. Moss attributed the present political excitement solely to the deficit in the revenue. Had it not been for that they would have gone smoothly on in a fool’s paradise. So long as they had plenty of loans and money there was a deadly apathy ; but now this was passing away, and keen activity, especially in the South, was the result. Referring to the necessity for retrenchment, Mr. Moss said that railway tariff was the first. He had been in opposition to the present Government since it came into existence, but the Canterbury members were supporters of that Government through thick and thin, and turned on them simply because the railway tariff was raised. Then, if a want of confidence was proposed, and he supported it, he would simply be made use of by the Canterbury members. Unless the Opposition had a definite policy he could not support them. They were led to believe that the North was existing on the South, and the North believed they were being robbed by the South. To retrench, he (Mr. Moss) recommended that they should strike at the root, and reduce the number of representatives from 140 to 79, for without that they could not retrench. The obstacle would be the fight over the Public Works expenditure, no district being willing to give up its representation. Out of this the question arose as to the strong possibility of a local government party arising, without which the country could not be properly governed. Mr. Moss then addressed himself to the question of the debt of the colony and taxation, and to the question of opposing borrowing in the present depressed times, which he thought would be a mistake. He then referred to the Public Works policy, and the increased debt of the colony, recommending a return to local legislature till they were at the point where this policy commenced. On the native land question he opposed the policy of the Government in making wards of the natives, and instanced the Thermal Springs mistake. The objections to that was that large blocks fell into the hands of private speculators, but that was the least objectionable phase, for they must deal eventually with those large purchasers if they stood in the way of the country. On the question of education Mr. Moss dwelt at some length, urging that it should be free secular and compulsory, and expressed a hope that in time to come the high schools would be free to all passing the requisite examination. He objected to the proposal to pay fees. He did not believe that an education was complete without a religious education, but it was utterly beyond the power of the State to deal with religious education. That should be the duty of the clergy. He had been attached to Sir George Grey’s section of the opposition for the last six years, and had acted consistently and faithfully, but in the session coming on he would ask them to leave his hands untied and free. No one knew what to expect, or what parties would be. The Opposition was disorganised, and more than ever disorganised by the action of the Canterbury members. Then the Government was disorganised, and its members unable to get a vote of confidence from their own constituents ; and he asked them to leave him to take the course he might deem best, waiting to see what combinations might arise before he joined any party which might unite to carry on the business of the country on the principles which he had laid down. A unanimous vote of thanks was accorded the speaker.