PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5183, 27 August 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By Telegbaph.] (pbom oub own cobbeßpobtdent.) v Wellington, This day. The following are the resolutions to be njOTed tonight by Major Atkinson: — That, baring in view the financial position of the colony, this House is of opinion— (1) That the expenditure from the Public Works Fund for the year 1885-86 should not exceed £1,000,000; (2) that it is not desirable at present that the GoVernment should undertake the construction of the Bast and West Coast and Nelson and West Coast Railway; (3) that no new loan should be authorised this session; (4) that one of the principal objects of the construction of the North Island Trunk Bail way being to open the interior of the North Island for settlement, and seeing that the Gorernment has failed to make arrangements for securing the land necessary for this purpose, no further expenditure should be incurred beyond the present contracts, and for the complex tion of the working surveys, until satisfactory arrangement! hare been made for the acquisition of not lets than 500,000 acres of land for settlement; (5) that a reduction of not less than £30,000 upon the estimates of the Consolidated Fund, as brought down, ghould be made for the year 1885-86, and a reduction of not'

less than £80,000 for ihe year 1886-87, without transferring any of the amount now charged against the Consolidated Fund to Loan account; (6), that the Gorernment be requested to take immediate steps to give effect to the abore resolutions. These resolutions are generally ridiculed as being only half-hearted, and brought down merely as a protest without the slightest idea of their being carried. Others, however, are inclined to think that there is a method in the arrangement of the resolutions, and that they bid for the support of the strongest sectiom of the House, These latter are very, doubtful about the result, and think the division may be very close. The rock ahead is Atkinson ; if tho resolutions were moved by someone else there would be a far batter chance of success. At present my opinion is that speculation is quite useless for th» very good reason that the result may be decided by the course taken by several leading young members, and these and they- friends have net yet made up their minds as to the best thing to do under all considerations. The resolutions will probably be moved as a whole, and pot seriatim, and if the Government are defeated on any single resolution, they must resign, although some say they have swallowed much more bitter pills. , It isrumored that Pyke, who I know is not at all satisfied with the resolutions, will move an amendment to the effect that the Public Works policy of the Government is not acceptable to the House. _ Latbb. As I nave informed you opinions differ widely as to the resolutions to be moved to-night by Major Atkinson, and if they are put seperately, the voting of individual members must be different on the different resolutions. Major Atkinson seems to have forgotten his political cunning, for, as the resolutions now appear as substantive motions, it will bu quite competent for other mem- ; bers to rise and move amendments: upon each resolution, as it is separately put, : you will see that the resolutions may be practically defeated very easily by the Government putting up some of its supporters to move amendments, substituting some more general declaration in favor of an abstract principle, which might mean anything or nothing, but which would certainly catch some votes and completely defeat the purpose of the resolutions; although this may be done, I think if Mr Stout is only allowed to have his way the question as to whether the Government possesses the confidence of the country will be decided on a direct issuer and. that he will be averse to any attempt, at political strategy to encompass the defeat of his enemies; it is well known that for some time past Mr Stout has been anxious to resign, and he is determined now to occupy his position by right of the confidence of the House or not at all. Certainly be will no longer agree to hold office on sufferance. The many friends of Mr Stout throughout the country will no doubt be glad that he at least means to assert himself. No cards are being pricked yet as there are so many doubtful men. .■■-■■

With reference to the statement already wired to you to the effect that Mr Stout will not any longer hold office on suffer* ance, I may say further that it is an open secret that when defeated on the tariff question Mr Stout actually wrote out hit resignation, but was advised to take it back and farther consult with his colleagues. It is now generally understood that nothing will induce Mr Stout to longer remain in office if defeated on any one of the resolutions to be moved to* night. The Scriptural proposition that > all men are liars strikes one forcibly this morning, for representative members on both sides claim to have a majority of three or four. As I told you last night, however, speculation is quite useless, for there are many who assure me themselves that they have not decided how to rote. The division is expected to be very close.