THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8529, 7 September 1907, Page 5

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

THREAT OF DISSOLUTION

HAS A SALUTARY EFFECT,

THE INCIDENT NOW CLOSED.

(By Telegraph —Parliamentary Correspondent,)

WELLINGTON, September 6,

The political tension arising out of the vote on Wednesday last, which was adverse to the Government proposal to place a duty of 5 per cent, on mining machinery, has eased down. The members of the Liberal Party, who voted against the Government, and those who abstained from voting, were able to satisfy the Premier that they had no intention on one hand of combining with the Opposition, and on the other hand of desiring to ignore their allegiance or to place the Government in a false position. Their explanations were considered satisfactory, and the Premier openly stated so in the House this after-. noon. '

The Premier had serious thoughts, so it is said, of asking for a dissolution at one time, and, according to a good authority, had approached the Governor on the subject, but it now appears that unless his followers show further defection on policy points he will not take extreme measures. There are some who think that talk of dissolution was raised as a bogey, but, at it appears to have had a salutary effect from the Ministerial point of view, and now "everything in the garden is lovely." Meanwhile, the tariff has been put seventh on the Orier Paper, and no intimation has been given as to wha 4 ; the Premier proposes to do with the Bill. It may be assumed, howeve v , that it will come on again shortly, and will be passed without further serious trouble.

In connection with the leading article in the Times this morning expressing contempt for the attitude of those members who on Wednesday reversed their vote given on machinery duty when previously sitting in the Ways and Means Committee, and stigmatising their attitude, the Premier to-day repudiated any responsibility for its appearance, and asserted it was in no way inspired. In addition, being satisfied with the attitude of his supporters after their explanation, he asserted that the Speaker had always acted with the strictest impartiality, and had perfect right in Committee to exercise his right as a member in any way he thought fit. The incident may no# be said to be closed.