POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 95, 30 July 1910, Page 5

POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES

THE STATE OF PARTIES. By Telegraph—Own Correspondent. Wellington, Last Night. The state of parties was the, object of conversation all day, but very soon the focus was reached. The Opposition men are, of course, joyful; but they are careful to explain that their game 'has been only to weaken the Government —not to oust it. They feel that victory would be barren without a dissolution, and they think the better plan is to improve their position by attacking the wietak place, so that at the general election tfliey may get a fresh deai in their favor. As to the land, they declare that they are quite aware the Bill will not be weaker as crucial. I PLAYING THE REFERENDUM I TRUMP.

One of their leading men remarked to me that the Premier had said, in repfly to Mr. Massey's statement that the experiment with the gambling question might be repeated with the land question, that this might be done. The comment was: "When in doubt play the referendum trump." ' j THE GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE. I On thek side the Government are reticent, but they are remarkably cheerful. Tlhieir supporters assert that the original majority is perfectly safe, as the defections are confined to five on this question alone, and that the five represent the element of confusion. They lost their heads; and did not apprehend the position, and that, therefore, their pledge to support the Government ought to ha.ve taken precedence. As nobody else in the party is confused on the point, there will be solidarity unimpaired for the future. As a result of this kindly way of looking at the matter, 'the five will not be asked to retire froan the Whip's room. The idea is tfiait, being at last clear in the head, they will be very submissive members for the future. , AN AMUSING EPISODE. Tliere is an amusing episode in connection with one of them. He got a wire from a constituent early in \Jie day congratulating him on the beautiful lining of his coat. Not understanding the joke, he (made enquiries or 'llls fellow members, who advised 'him to wire for an. explanation. What that was, if amy, he did not expflfun. It is unnecessary, as the lobbies are laughing in chorus.

AN OYSTER SUPPER. 1 The day practically ended 1 with the Premier's oyster supper, which the House took during tJhe supper adjournment. Mr. Massey sat on Sir Joseph Ward's right, and the parties were mixed in proportion. The oysters were fresh from the Bluff, and the jokes were of the bluff order—remarkably cordial and sincere. There were a few toasts, ofl course. Mr. Massey opened with the j health of the host. He declared has de-, light at meeting the enemy under nuchl fine conditions of mutual self-respect, and said l , very cordially, that the -best j cure for political friction, w/uch Had I been somewhat strenuous just lately, l was an oyster supper, winding up with the firm conviction that the best way to bury the hatchet was 10 bury the ( oyster. J ixrm-TXM TT A TITYI7 '

ALL PARTIES HAPPY. Sir Joseph replied with cordiality, proposing the health of Mr. Spealcer, who took the opportunity to compliment the House on tllie excellent order it kept, and the way it maintains its traditions, adding that the House was a credit to the electors of "the Dominion. He wound' up with proposing Mr. Massey's health, and the response was a strong proof of the popularity of the Leader of the Opposition with all sections of tfli-6 House. He complimented him on the manner in which he always fought a losing battle, and trusted he saw a change (for the better in the distant future. Mr. Massey made an exceedingly pleasant speech of thanks, and the members returned to work mightily refreshed and greatly pleased with themselves.

MR. OKEY'S CONTENTION. Speaking in the House on Thursday Mr. Okey sairl it would be a good bargain for the State to give the freehold to lease-in-pevpetuity tenants at the original valuation, plus 1 per cent, and compound interest on that amount. If the West Coast settlement lands went back into the hands of the naitives, it would mean a set-back to the district which no Government could afford l . Iff it was intended that local bo' Ties would have to bear the cost of edv ntion, the Government would find-that it was one of the worst moves it had-taken. Direct taxation out of t!he land for education would be opnosed throughout ■the Dominion. In fact, the Government wouM find their education proposals more unpopular than the dairy regulations about wihich so much had been heard. Sir Jo«pi»li Ward: Nothing of the kind is intended.