POLITICAL NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 104, 21 June 1900, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

, A NEW LIBERAL PARTY. Thkb has been some speculation as to the intentions of the Opposition during the coming session of Parliament, but it may be mentioned (says the Wellington Poet) that the Party as a Party has BO far decided on no definite couise of action. It has been suggested that the most effective course to pursue would be for the Party to elect no leader, but to adopt a go-as-you-please programme, 4to that Government membeis having no opposition to battle with would fight among themselves. This, on occasions, would no doubt prove embarrassing to Ministers, but it is hardly likely that the plan will be followed. It is more probable that a new Party will spring into existence—a new liberal Party. At the general election in December last the old Opposition Party was practically wiped out of existence. The services of many valued members were thus lost to the country, but at the same time it afforded an opportunity for the formation of this new Party r-one against which the old catch cries of Conservatives and Tories cannot bs levelled. Much would depend upon the leadership of the Party. Mr. J. Allen, jnember for Bruce, who during the past few sessions has come into promin- ' Ince, is most likely to be selected should the Party be constituted, He is, comparatively speaking, a young man, but has a broad grasp of public affairs, is a good debater, a man of determination, well versed in Parliamentary procedure, possessed of tact, and likely to become popular if placed in the position of leader, An excellent first lieutenant geold be found in the person of the member for Pulmerston, Mr. F. Pirani, for what he doe* not know of political Party tactics and the ways and methods Of Ministers is sot worth learning. He can debate, too, on any question that crops up. Then there ie Mr. J. Hutoheeon, a good fignticg man when jfjghtdng is required; Mr. Hemes (Buy of Plenty), who can talk sense or nonsense without limitation as the occasion requires, and who, moreover, has the happy knack of setting his opponents by the ears and causing troubly in the enemy's camp—all this in the pleaBantest manner possible. Further, there la Wellington's second member, Mr. A, B, Atkinson, another first-class fighter, capable of taking hard knocks as well ksigiving them;'•• Here ia the nucleus of a new" Liberal Party, and there are Others who could be mentioned, The Government following is too unweildj to remain long solid, and several members in its ranks could be expected tc soon find their way into such a Party as suggested, whereas they would fight ajjy of the unh}cky old Opposicwi tarty. However, the session is now almost at hand, and a meeting of th< opponents of the Government will ther ► be held, and a course of action or in action decided on. '4lhe formation of i new 1 Liberal Party'seems the mos Ukelj't}]}. '