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

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2027, 4 July 1885, Page 2

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

Mr Pyke " Draws " the Premier. Wkiungiov, Thin sday. Thkri-. was quite a little fluttor of excitemont in the Lobbies to-day over a breach of privilege winch Mr Pyke, the member for D\m-»ti\n, tlneatened to'bnng up against tho Premier. It aiosc m tin 1 * way : Dining Mr Pykes speech last night ho said, referling to the «*ubsidy question, that the goldfields counties did not w.uit the £2000 subsidy which it w.is proposed to give them under tho Counties Bill. This evidently nettled Mr Stout, and on tho conclusion of Mi Pykes rL'in.uks the Pieimei sent him a note .icios-, tho i[<mso with .1 ti'legi.un endowed, the telegi.uu being addiessed to the chauman of Vincent County, .md asking if what Mi Pjke .'-t.itcs w.is tine. Mi Stout's note ineiely eiKiuiied whcthei ho should send the telegram to his (Mr Pyke s) constituents. Mr Pyko in great wioth handed the letter lound amongst the members, and ho leplied to the Piemier that ho icgaided the note as ,i distinct act of intimidation, which he would hung to tho notice of the Speakei. He consulted Mr Speaker later on, who promised to give Ins decision this morning as to whethei 01 not it was a breach of privilege. Dining the day, however, Mr Stout and Mr Pyke had a conference, the result of which was that it was allowed quietly to drop, Tho mfoionce is that Sir J. Vogel prevailed on the Premier to compromise the matter, although I understand Mr Stout was desirous of justifying himself to the House. The Premier's action in tho matter is unfavourably commented on. He ceitainly would have bast contmltod his own dignity if ho had taken no notice of Mr Pyke'n remarks, which were in tho mam dolivored in a good-humoured manner, but Mr Stout's best friends would never ammo him of being a good tactician, and ablo at all times to control his feelings.

The Outlook. Although tho result of tlio no confidence motion i% a foregone conclusion, it is now considered almost impossible that Ministers will be able to retain their in consequence "f the intense feeling th.it e\ists against their jinlic^'. The Atkinson party aie honestly cnde.nourmg to keep the (in* vorninent in nlhee for tins session, as M.ijor Atkm«on feels that the countiy is agnin<-t him dt present, and that he h.is no chance of fin lump ;i stable Ministry, but fiom i)u>sent appo.irances eithei a remodeling of the whole Ministerial ]>olicy, 01 a change of Government wenis inevitable.

The No-confidence Debate. Wellington, "Friday. Effoits arc being made by the Mmisten:il hide of the House to bung the Xoconhdence Debate to a close to-night, but if ill the reports are true ns to the number of members who still intend Breaking, the devision is not likely to be taken till Wednesday next. Sir Julius Vogel is piepuing an exhaustive defence of hi-> policy, a measure which will of course draw out Major Atkiiwm, and Mr Ortnond will probably speak at some length on the local government pmposaK. -V curious feature about the debate is that the mover of the no confidence lcsolution, >Su (t. (xivy, has scaicely been in the Hou-.e foi nipio than .111 hour 01 two since nio\ing it. It is petli<ip& .is well for tho turn, gentleman's peace of mind that he has been absent, for unquestionably .some \eiy h.ud things have beeen said as to his action, not only on this matter but on Hourly everything he initiates in the House. Mr (iauick thts afternoon made a trenchant attack on tho member for AuckirmH Oity i-Jn-it,— xtming he cliaractensed linn as a dangerous man foi the conntiy toliaxe anything to do with. He so id if he was entrusted with the administiation of .iff.ins again it would iebiilt in ruin to the colon}'.

Persistent Petitioners. The precents of tlie House this session, ha\e been constantly attended by a couple of petitioner fioin Otago, who were formiuly defoired payment selectors, but failing to comply with the condition of tho defencd payment sections, the land was taken from them. The petition has been lcpoited on founally by the Waste Land* Committee and the (io\ eminent has decided to award tlie petitioner U'jO and also to pise them back their land, or £120 without the land. They has c lef used this oiler, and now intend to petition the Lpgu-l.ttnc Council in the matter. In the meantime the petitioncis (a, m.ii lied couple) attend at the He.use punctually oveiy moi mng and inteiviow as many members as they can come across fur the puipose of stitmg their Riievanees to thciri. Tlio piob.ibilitirs are, however, th.it the niemln'is of the Upper Chamber miy not report in their case 10 favourably as the present committee.

The Vacancy for Bruce. The Otngo niPiubi'i s ai o of opinion tli.it Mr Diner, an old member of the Hou-e, will ha\e the best chance in contesting tin 1 Bruce seit, which n lcndcred vacint through Mr Kobeit (iillies' lo^iguntion. Mi McDonald, who r< ¥ |>H"-ented liiuce m the List P.iilininent, is also likely to seok le-election.

The Ministerial Ball. Ministers have i-^uod invitations for a, ball on a large «c i!<\ which h to bo held at tho drilWied on Monday night.