POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 349, 4 October 1898, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(BY TKLEG RAPII - SPECIAL COIIKESPONOENT) Wellington, Lost Nij^ht. THE PRESENT SITUATION. MATTEBS political are decidedly mixed just now, and some perplexing reports are prevalent. It isi stated on the one hand that a dissolution of Parliament is much closer at hand than the electors imagiuo, although nobody knows exactly what grounds Mr Seddon would have for asking Lord Ranfurly to dissolve the House. Some Parliamentary specials have indeed gone so far as to inform their papers that a dissolution has been seriously discussed by the leaders of both sides, but I have good authority for stating that there is not a shadow of foundation for that statement. On the other hand I am informed that definite instructions have been sent out to all the registrars to prepare the electoral rolls as quickly as possible, and the registrars are to be held responsible for the completion of the rolls. Instructions of this kind would apply, however, to the general election, which must be held next year, as the present Parliament expires in December, 1899. Some people imagine that the Premier would personally prefi-r going lo the country this year, as his defeat early next session is regarded almost as a certainty, and the longer his Government is in power the more unpopular it is likely to become. His supporters, however, would strongly resent the loss of their £2O a mouth for a year longer, as in the natural course of things many of them will go dowu at the next contest. It should also not be forgotten that the Governor is not likely to grant a dissolution before the House is exhausted, and even if the Old Age Pensions Bill should be rejected by the Counci', Lord Ranfurly would have the alternative of appointing fre?h Councillors, which he would probably agree to, in preference to granting the Premier a dissolution. It is true that serious trouble is threatened over the Loan Bill, which promists to be a very close thing, owing to the number of dissatisfied Government supporters, who declare they will vote against the second read ing. Mr Seddon, however, has a peculiar power of persuasion with his followers, and the chances are that some of those who now so boldly proclaim their independence will once more cheerfully respond to the crack of the Ministerial whip when the Loan Bill is before the House. OLD AGE PENSIONS. It is considered extremely probable that the Old Age Pensions Bill will go through the Legislative Council, that is if the Premier really wishes it to become law this sesson. Mysterious reports are afloat that the Bill is to receive its quietus when it reaches the Council, this, however, remains to be seen, and the attitude of the labour members in that Chamber will bo narrowly watched. Three at least of the Government supporters will vote against, the third reading of the Bill iu the Lower House (Mr McNab, Mr Carncross and Mr Robert Thompson). Mr McNab informs me that he is pledged to support any Old Age Pensions Bill, where the money is provided, but as no provision is made in this Bill for paying the pensions, except out of the ordinary revenue, he is opposed to it, although he has offered no factious opposition. Mr Carncross opposes the Bill, because he advocates a contributory basis, whilst Mr R. Thompson denounces the whole thing as visionary and unworkable. The Opposition have certainly improved the Bill in various directions, but it is still a crude and ill-advised measure, which, if it passes into law, will require wholesale amendments next session. Even Government supporters also admit that it is likely to do Ministers great harm eventually, by incurring the hostility ot those who will apply for pensions under the Act, but who wiil be unable to support their claim as being just and equitable OPPOSITION CAUCUS. The Opposition met in caucus this morning to consider the attitude of the parly over the Old Age Peusions Bill. Several members who are strongly opposed to the Bill were anxious to block its passage through the House in order to give the people an opportunity of expressing their opinion on it at the general election. The majority of the party, however, were against a stonewall being set up against the Bill, and it was finally agreed to further amend it if possible, leaving individual members free to oppose its third reading if they thought it advisable.