POSITION OF PARTIES. MR MOSS'S NO – CONFIDENCE MOTION.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 393, 14 August 1889, Page 5

POSITION OF PARTIES. MR MOSS'S NO - CONFIDENCE MOTION.

WELLINGTON, August 12. Mk Moss's amendment condemning the pro 5 ; perby tax comes on this evening, the Property Tax Assessment Bill being the first order on the paper. As the Bill is a Government measure and the amendment traverses their policy, the Government seem to have no option but to take it a? a direct no-con-fidence motion. This will be accentuated by the fact that Mr Smith (Waipawa) is to move another amendment favouring a land and. income tax. The Government whips declare they have a majority ; but it seems rather doubtful if they have. The " Times " this morning says :—: — " The noes have been counted, and some of the supporters of that amendment are very sanguine of their ability, if not to carry it, at least to make a very respectable show in its favour. Mr Moss, we believe, counts on 42 votes ; and careful pricking of the card from the same point of view gives Government 37 sure vote 3, and leaves an allocated 16 j doubtful ; of whom two, Messrs Beetham and Peacock, are away from the colony. The affair, however, like many other things, has two sides, and the other side gives the Government a clear majority of at least five. It is well known that several Auckland members, who are orjposed to the property tax are disinclined to vote against the Government, holding the present an unfavourable time for a re-arrangement of the system of taxation. The Auckland members referred to are, I presume, Messrs Hobbs and K. Thompson, the former of whom told me he would not vote against the Government. Mr Thompson, I believe, is doubtful, but from what I can learn others are safe.