THE LOBBIES. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1430, 1 September 1881, Page 3

THE LOBBIES. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

.< A xi. » i Wellington, Yesterday. ' ' Rumowted No-Confidence Motion. • Vague*a.%ft v ifactmiprenfcnsible' rumours are afloat to the effect that another vote of *want~ of confidence is not improbable. The prime' mover has not' been namod, and. the, probability is that the authority for the report is about is nameless as the mover. 1 What good a step of the kind could possibly achieve is a problem no ordinary mind can solve. Supposing, for argument's sake, a majority of members could be found foolish enough to carry such a motion, there ia not the remotest probability of the situation becoming changed. Government would at once apply for a dissolution, and in view of the fact that Parliament is on the eve of expiring by effluxion of , time, there is not the ghost of a doubt but that it would be granted under these circumstances. It may be accepted as a foregone conclusion that the Government will hold office pending the general elections, so that no opposition move could, by any possibility benefit itself in that direction. lam not by any means sure a dissolution would not be the shortest way out of the present difficulty, nor do I believe Government would be at all sorry to have that course thrust upon them. They' have got still the fear of a strong central ' committee, constituted under opposition auspices, before their eyes; then again, there is the possibility that Grey will take it into his head to stump the country, and although he has lost his pratigc outside Parliament, he has still got a sufficient atock of clap-trap to stir up the animosities lurking in the vulgar mind. Were dissolution granted both of these contingencies "would in a manner be antioipated. The elections would, in all probability be rushed through at once, and no time left for maturing central committees or stump orations. On that ground alone I believe Government would not be adverse to have a dissolution forced upon them. On the other hand it is well known that the political existence of not a few of their more attached Northern friends depends upon the pushing of the Representation Bill, and an election without the bill being passed would not be the correct card. 'In that case, indeed, the Government's position appears to be a pretty good demonstration of the old song " How happy could I be either, were t'other sweet charmer away." Nothing on earth could exceed the dreary aspect of affairs occasioned by the stonewalling process. The monotony of listening to such men as Shephard, Gibbs, Pitt, or even Speight, as they drawl through hour after hour to empty benches is a positive infliction. It is as the vpice of one crying in the wilderness. Theme men make no attempt at wit ; they simply go on in a heavy laboured style of talk, wearying to themselves and depressing: to everyone within earshot. Levestamand Bastings have got a bit of fun in them, and at times they manage to work things round with a dash of humour that is rather amusing. The "modus operandi 1 ' followed by these worthies is this : The speaker has a body guard in wait, and whenever one sees his confiere flagging he gets up an interruption, calls attention to the state of the House, or else rises to a point of order. In either case the object is attained, and the speoker gets " breathing time." The cool audacity with which the speaker scoots away again with a serio comic complaint or protest against the " unseemly interruption which had just taken place" is highly amusing, and when well done, as it invariably is by the two last named obstnictionibts, it never fails to provoke roars of laughter. Vogel's Letter. Sir J. Vogel's letter to the Premier, about which a question was asked some time ago, has made its apceaiauce in print. The story of this precious document is worth relating. Not considering its tone a proper one, the letter is said to have been returned to the writer. This fact leaked out and the idea at once struck Home of the more sanguine, that its publication might not improbably embarrass Government. The opportunity whs too good to be lost sight cf, and a cablegram was forthwith despatched to Voael for a ccpy, the expense of the cablegram being borne by subbcriptiou. No tune appears to have been lost in complying with the request, a copy of thecoveted epistle com in sj to hand last mail. Its eontenh can hardly be said to be jrood value for the trouble and expense. Vogel in no doubt c man of great mark and one whose name has ptood well amongst a certiiin clhsh. He is a man however upon whom a tight iein has to bo kept where extravagence m departmental expenditure becomes at all possible. All doubt on that point is set at rest by the assumption contained in the letter in question. What in effect he contends for is that ' the civil service is a chnrmed circle with which no interference should take place, no matter how extravagant and overgrown it may have become. Trade and commeice tnay be depreesed and the taxpayers ground, down to the dust, but the service is to be maintained in affluence indolenco and no attempt made to reform its abu Fes. Evidently Vogel thinks the criterion of a youn^r struggling community is the mag. iiitude of its Civil service. Years ago one of New Zealand's mest thoughtful politicians, Sir E. Stafford cautioned the colony that it was building up an aristocracy of officialdom and so far as can be seen it only requiies a few men of Vogel's stamp to put the finishing stroke on the edifice. We are also counselled as to the importance of helping appearances, however false and unfounded they may be. Altogether the letter is in strict accord with the character of the writers who, it is well-known, has more than once rii»ked his last qtiver on the throw of a dice or the turn up a card. The Deadlock. Wellington, Last Night. The political deadlock still continues, and has ,SYPry o appearance of lasting for weeks if not; months. It is also becoming every day More" apparent that Grey ' and his persobaT- -following are indirectly encouraging the obstructionists by every means in their power. Unwilling to incur odium opeuiy by voting" against a Representatioft-»BiU ' based upon population, and aldb> loosing all chance of a seat for Christifchrtrch, Sir George nevertheless encourages the obstructionists in his speech, and allows, if indeed, he does not also'prompt hi 3 personal following to openly assist them, his object being, of cour*e. ifi ■ bring the Government into conteimWi^^pf course it must end before very lo'upbu.t the result may be that it will go the way of all the useful measures already before the House, .-which may be abandoned for this session, because members will not stay irt- Wellington to consider them. The Railway Construction Bill alone would occupy dome time m going through its yataous 'stages,' and therefore 'it may be 'shelved until ttext session ;' also the bill authorizing the con-, tracts of the Cambridge Railway, "besides ' many other' measured "upon Tthe""OrHeF Paper on> which people of the colony take' great, interest.' ''This particular form of stonewalling, viz.', 1 ot moving* the adjoutriinent of, the. Housed and italfcihg it over till half-past 12, when no business can be brough^on, enables, a few:, to, k«flpJiii 'tip Wieftnttely. This has g,ow Ijeea Jjmt a

stop to, but much time has been wasted, andthe.paitienceiqf members much exerdised. If, therefore, stonewalling be persisted jn committee ior any length of time, 'it is even feared by, some that the public' works votes may lapse. At all events it is certain that after this is over very little real business indeed can be done. ,