OPPOSITION TACTICS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1648, 18 October 1887, Page 2

OPPOSITION TACTICS.

The Wellington correspondent of the Otago Daily Times telegraphing on Sunday says -I made it my business this afternoon to interview a prominent member of;' the Opposition with the view of obtaining some idea of the tactics which the party intend to pursue during the session. I ven- j tured to hint that I considered the Government safe until next session, from which he dissented, stating that they would be turned Qnt of office within the next month. Asking him his reasons for such a prediction, he replied as follows: —“ In case a no- ■ confidence motion is tabled when the Financial Statement is brought down we can reckon on 42 certain votes. This number, it is true, is insufficient to carry the motion, but there are six or seven doubtfuls, who with a little | judicious management will vote for ■ us. It is acknowledged on all hands j that the advocates of local industries 1 1 are in a majority, and unless those *»

gentlemen are false to their election pledges they must insist on the tariff question receiving full consideration.” “ You will pardon me,” I interjected, “ for interrupting you, but from the general tone of the House it seems to me certain that retrenchment is the great question which demands first attention. Both Freetraders and Protectionists are agreed upon that point, and the majority of the members think that if the Ministry bring down a programme which will give effect to the wishes of the country in this respect they will have accomplished a work which should entitle them to the support of all those who desire to see the finances of the country placed on a sound footing.” “ That’s very well in its way/’ replied the prominent Oppositionist, “but itlwilljnot get over the facr that the direct issue of Protection and Freetrade was placed before the constituents, and unless some attention is paid to the question there will be a howl from one end of the colony to the other. Both sides of the House are agreed that retrenchment is absolutely necessary, and proposals having for their object legitimate reductions will receive support. At the same time we shall insist that the question of the tariff must not be shelved, and in taking this course we should be backed up by Freetraders and Protectionists. There is an unanswerable argument which we intend to use in order to force ministers to show their hands, and it is that unless the Government indicate what line they intend to take up in fiscal matters, the state of uncertainty which will prevail in commercial circles will have the effect of paralysing trade, and the people will not tolerate a condition of things which will cause a stagnation all through the recess. Nothing is so detrimental to business as uncertainty, and therefore no paltering with the subject will be tolerated by the House.” “ Suppose,” I observed, “ that the Government express their intention of considering each item of the tariff during the recess with a view to afford encouragement to those industries which require it, will not that cut the ground from Tinder the feet of the Opposition?” “By no means; that will strengthen our party as a party, for while not satisfying the thoroughgoing Protectionist it will disgust Freetraders of the Barron and Scobie Mackeneie schpol, who deprecate any tinkering with the tariff.” “ Does the Opposition really mean to table a hostile motion ?” “There can be doubt about that. You newspaper fellows may expect ample material for sensational reporting in a fortnight’s time.” As the gentleman whose views I have just given is supposed to be behind the scenes in the Opposition camp, it may be taken for granted that he is well acquainted with the plan of campaign which is intended to be adopted by Sir Julius and his followers. ,;