The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1887. CONFIDENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1665, 26 November 1887, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1887. CONFIDENCE.

A ago Sir Julius Vogel signified his intention of moving a resolution to the effect that it would be desirable to revise the Customs tariff this session. Major Atkinson at once jumped up and declared that to do so amounted to a Want of Confidence motion. Sir Julius Vogel assured him that he had no intention of|taking office, and that his only object was to secure protection for the industries of the colony. He also intimated that he would not proceed with the motion as the Government regarded it as one of No-Confidence. This was not sufficient for the gallant Major. He desired to crush under foot once and for all the aspirations of the Opposition in this direction, and he gave notice that if Sir Julius Vogel would not bring forward his motion affirming the desirability of having the tariff revised this session, he would move in the contrary diiection. Major Atkinson having regarded Sir Julius Vogel's motion to the effect that it was desirable to revise the tariff as one of " No-Confidence " his own motion, to the effect that it was not desirable to interfere with the tariff, must be regarded as one of " Confidence." We hare therefore to witness the unique spectacle of a Government moving, a vote of Confidence in itself. Was there ever such a thing heard of before ? Was it not sufficient for the Premier that Sir Julius Vogel swallowed the leek, and declined to enter the lists ? This ought to have been sufficient for any reasonable being, but it was not enough for Major Atkinson. He has the instincts of the bully and the tyrant, and he is not satisfied with his opponent having declined the fight but must parade his strength and crow over his weaker adversary. It would not matter much to the country how Major Atkinson bullied and brow-beated his adversaries, only that the taxpayers have to pay for it. Owing to the way. things have been managed no business has so far been done, and yet Parliament has been sitting for the past eight weeks. Instead of being ashamed of the miserable waste of time which has taken place Major Atkinson proposes to waste more time in proposing a vote of Confidence in himself. In point of arrogance and insolence nothing could exceed this, and the Parliament that tolerates the waste of valuable time for such a purpose must be looked upon as a lot of noodles and nincompoops.