THE PROTECTIONIST CAUCUS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1660, 15 November 1887, Page 2

THE PROTECTIONIST CAUCUS.

The Wellington correspondent of the Lyttelton Times says the Protectionist caucus, which may turn out to be one of the most important caucuses of the session, was held on Saturday morning in the joint Committee room. Though several prominent Protectionists were absent there was a good attendance. Sir J. Vogel and Mr Richardson were engaged on the Midland Railway Committee. Mr Ballance and Mr Hutcheson had gone to Wanganui, and apologies were handed in fro-n Messrs Loughrey, Blake, O’Callaghan, and Turnbull. Still there were present from Auckland Messrs Qoldie, Lawry, Monk, Thomson, Cadman, Kelly, Moss, and Colonel Fraser; from Southland, Messrs Ward and Feldwick; from Westland, Messrs Seddon and R. Reeves; from Nelson, Messrs Levestam and Kerr; from Canterbury, Messrs Perceval, W. P. Reeves, Joyce, Buxton, Taylor, and Jones, and Messrs Taiwhanga and Pratt, Maori members. Mr Moss was voted to the chair, and an animated discussion followed for more than an hour. Mr Perceval pointed out that the Oppositionists present would like to know whether Ministerialist Protectionists would do more than merely protest against the postponement of the tariff revision until next session. Would these gem tleraen, in the event of Major Atkinson refusing to give way, allow the revisal and stand by the Ministry, ot would they stand by the Protectionists ? He thought Sir Julius Vogel was being used as a bogey to preyeut the Protectionists in the House from using their strength. He considered that the carrying of a Protectionist resolution did not of necessity entail the return to power of Sir Julius Vogel. Messr* Q-oldie and Thomson explained that they had been sent to Wellington to keep Sir J. Vogel out, and get retrenchment as well as Protection ; therefore they thought that if Major Atkinson said he ought to have till next session to revise the Tariff, they thought they ought not to desert him on that account. If next session he broke his pledge, they would assuredly go against him. ; Mr Monk enlarged on the difficulties and delays in the path of the Tariff revision. The present was a short session, and members would object to Bit*, after Christmas, Mr; W. P. Reeves was prepared to sit there till February if by doing so he could help to get Proteetion. This caucus was no party move. As a mere matter of tactics it would suit the Opposition better ’to see Major Atkinson' refuse Protection than to see him pressed into carrying it, for such a refusal would ensure his lasting unpopularity; but he to be pressed, because Protection was just now, apart from party tactics, in a. majority in the House, and held victory almost within its grasp. Would the Auckland representatives accept the responsibility of delaying this victory? The country would hold them responsible. Mr T. Thomson was prepared to accept the responsibility referred to. Mr Ward was opposed to Sir J. Vogel personally, but would vote for Protection irrespective of party, if the Ministry refused to give prompt Protection. This Protectionists must stand by each other. Mr Q-oldie would say this: that if the Opposition Protectionists would agree to Major Atkinson striking down a Protectionist tariff he thought the Ministerial Protectionists might consider the propriety of doing the converse. Dr Fitchett pointed out that Mr Q-oldie asked for much, and i offered very little. Mr Joyce moved <

—“That a deputation consisting of Messrs Goldie, Monk, Thompson, Lawry, Seddon, Perceval, Steward, and Ward should wait on the Premier to ask him to bring down this session a revision of the tariff on a Protectionist basis.” This was carried unanimously, and the meeting adjourned until half-past ten on Monday morning. The deputation at once went off to interview the Premier, who replied as follows: —“ It is impossible to deal with the tariff this session, but I propose calling a session in April, if possible, when I intend to have the tariff considered. I believe I can bring down a tariff acceptable to both Freetraders and Protectionists, but I decline to state the direction of the revised tariff further than saying I desire to encourage local industries. It will take two or three months to prepare the tariff.” The Treasurer further stated that he was not a Freetrader or a Protectionist in the ordinary acceptation of those terms.