POLITICAL NEWS. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1904, 18 September 1884, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS. [BY TELEGRAPH.— SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

The Financial Statement and Its Effects. Wellington, Wednesday Nighty The impression generally conveyed by Sir Julius Vogcl's Financial Statement, to-day, is a favourable one, and it effectively disposes of any chanco of a hostile attack being made on Ministers this session. Major Atkinson lias, indeed, intimated to Sir Julius Vogel that lie is ready to assist him in winding up business as .soon as possible, provided he docs not bring down any other policy bills further than those already announced. Mr Stout if, favourable to this course being adopted, and the session brought to a close without delay, but Sir Julius is desitous of submitting to the House a few other measures which he has set his heart upon. It is very likely, however, that his colleagues will give way in this matter, as they are perfectly well aware that they have no reliable following at all in the House. They are also aware that Sir George Grey, with his " trusty little band," as he once called them, may break off from Ministers at any moment, and become once moie the master of the situation. It is very evident that if any changes were made at present it would simply mean a return to the chaotic state of affairs that prevailed a few weeks ago, so that Sir Julius will do well to profit by the advice tendered to him to-day by the leadei of the Opposition, and not endea\ our to force any fre*h measures upon an unwilling House. Should he consent to the course recommended by Major Atkinson the session is likely to close within a month Horn the present time. With reference to the modeiate natuie of Sn Julius Vogel's boi rowing proposals it is pointed out that their moderation is altogether a matter of opinion. In the fiist place he asks in the Financial Statement for authority to borrow one million and a half, in addition to which lie has the unexpended portion of the third million rf the lust loan authorised. According to Major Atkinson's estimate the sum of £500,000 will be available from the latter on the 31st March ne\t. It has generally been rumoured that no less than £000,000 out of the million was actually anticipated during the time Mr Walter Johnston was Minister for Public Woiks. Sir Julius Vogel, however, admits that a pmtiou of this -sum is available, but not to the extent stated by the late Colonial Treasurer. Then there is the one million loan which has already been authoi Ued, but not yet raised, foi the Noith Island Trunk Railway, so that piactically Sir Julius will h<i\e at his command three millions instead of the million and a half asked for last night. There ia fuither the .sinking fund which it is proposed to abolish, and meinbeis aieby no meanb cleai as to whether Sir Julius will not be able to appropriate a considerable .sum from this source also.

The Civil Service Report. The mining civil service report was bi ought before the House again this afternoon. Major Atkinson said as the Government supporfcois were eudeavoming to make largo political capital out of the matter to the detriment of the niembeis of the late Government, he desired to make a biief statement of the c.we. With that view, to put himself in order, lie mo\ed the adjournment of the House. The Speaker ruled that as Mr Holmes h.id a question on the order paper in lefeience to the subject Major Atkinson could not refer to it, us it was contrary to the standing ordeis to debate a question on the paper. When speaking to a mot on for adjourament, Major Atkinson then added that he would wait till Mr Holmes' motion was called. The motion came on later in the afternoon, when Major Atkinson detailed the whole of the circumstances which led to the piepaiation of the draft bill, which bill, however, he said, had never been submitted to the Cabinet. Having b*en turned out of office, he thought, it was not necessary to leave a half-prepared bill behind him. Mr Rolleston corroborated Major Atkinson's statement that the bill had never been before the Cabinet at all, and said he himself had never seen a copy of it. Mr Holmes eventually " talked out" his own motion till half-past five, thus effectually disposing of the matter.