POLITICAL NOTES,

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2322, 28 May 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES,

[BY TKLBGRAI'II KI'JiCML KEPORTER.] Tho No-confidence Debate. Wklmngton, Friday. It lias now transpired that the division on tho no-confidence motion would actualy have boon taken last night had nut Mr Moss opened up the whole queetion by speaking after tho supper adjournment. Hβ was excessively annoyed at what ho considered was a breach of faith on JM.:tj<»L- Atkinson's part, us the member for K;;mont had agreed that the debate should be kept {roiiitf at for a few days at any rate. Major Atkinson certainly stated in the Mouse that ho should not oppose tho adjournment <<f the debate till this afternoon, but when a division was called for hu, of course, felt bound to vote with his party against the Govern merit. The result of that division showed that the Opposition could have won easily,on tho no-confidence motion had they, ho.ea to take such a vote, but as several of their own side as well as Government supporters were absent they put up Mr jjuctlniin to move the adjournment. I understand the Premier was anxious to take the division at once, po as to force tho Opposition into securing a catch vote, but he was evidently over-ruled by his colleagues. There is some talk of finishing the debate to-night or to-morrow night at the lnte-t, and Ministers are believed to bo quite willing to allow the matter to be mottled without further debate, but a large, number of members are still desirous of speaking before the division takes place. Position of Parties. The Opposition still claim a majority of three or four on Major Atkinson's amendment. As far as I can ascertain, the actual position seems to be that the Government can reckon on about 42, certain, and the Opposition on 40, who are equally certain. Mr J. 0. Brown being absent in England means the loss of a vote to Ministers, and the Avon seat being vacant deprives them of another of their supporter*, while the Speaker's vote is of course not available except in case of a tie. Tho remaining ten votes which make up the '.)') members are regarded as doubtful, but six of them are claimed by the Opposition and three by Ministers. Assuming this to be the correct position, it would give the Opposition a majority of one, with ono doubtful vote in the balance. Should the present vote bo unsuccessful, however, the rejection of the tariff by a much larger majority is almost certain. If report is to be believed the Government would prefer a defeat on Major Atkinson's amend* niont in order that they might go to the country on the whole of their (inancial proposals. I understand the Premier will rather welcome defeat than otherwise, as he is said to be thoroughly sick of the whole business, and is anxious to devote more time to his own affairs than he has been able to do for three years. Lobby Gossip. Amongst other lobby rumours is one to the effect that liabilities amounting to £()">. 000 have been incurred in connection with the settlement of some- !)00 persons in village settlements. Another report that has got abroad, which is regarded almost in the lightiif a Juki. , , is that Mr Moss., the member for Pa moll, is to be called to the Upper House. Tho rumour has probably arisen from the fact that Mr Moss was in close consultation yesterday with Mr Reynolds, one of the Ministry, but it is currently stated that Mr Moss has been induced to vote for the Government on tho no-confi-doticj motion by Mr Reynolds'* persuasive powers. Sir J. Voxel's Friends. I am inf.-.rmod to-day that a private letter Ins been received from one of the Colonial Treasurer's quondam supporters in London, to tho efiVct lh it as long :\s Sir Julius remaii'.s in the not a single New Z ;aland loan will e\er Le floated on the English money market. Mr DargavilleTiiis r.ftc.rnoon, while speaking on the nooi!iilidi.'iic>3 motion Mr Dargavillo made an extraordinary attack on swine of the Anck'and lnembeis, whom he accused of .sending untruthful telegrams to Auckland concerning his action in the House. He characterised their c.-nir.ct as scandalous and cowardly, but was sharply reprimanded by the Speaker, who said that members of Parliament were the elect of people, and he should not allow them to use language which would not be tolerated at any ordinary public meeting. Sir Maurice added that if Mr Dargaville persisted in referring to his fellow members in such terms as lie hid just used, he should exercise the full powers which were vested in him, in order to maintain the dignity of the House, and to preserve order. Mr D.irgavillo at once withdrew the objectionable words, and the Speaker accepted the apology. Friday. Tli3 Expect el Division. The no-contidence debate is still proceeding, and the Government have now postponed all other business according to the usual custom when a no-confidence motion is ponding. It. is, after all, doubtful whether the division will be taken to-night, but there is a strong probability that tl-ie House will sit all night, in which case the division will be taken before it rises, The Opposition are quite ready to divide at any time, but the Government wish to prolong the debate, with tho hope of securing some doubtful votes. The tactics of Ministers seem quite to have changed in this respect since Wednesday last, as they were then openly courting defeat, and evidently requested their supporters not to take any part in the debate with the view of forcing a division, in which they knew they would be in a minority. They are now, however, straining every nerve to secure a majority to defeat the amendment, although it must be evident to everybody that even if they succeed in their desire they arc ptill bound to go to the country, as, not only will the tariff be rejected by two to one, but they will be unable to carry a single policy bill this session. The Avon Election. There was sonic talk to-day of Ministers wishing to cany on the debate till next Wednesday, the day of the A\on election, in the hope that Mr Blake, tho Government candidate , , will ba elected ; but this is not likely to be allowed by the Opposition. Mr Blake is being opposed by Mr Dunlop, who is a moderate Government suppoiter, but will strongly oppose Ministers in the tariff and other policy measures, Tlie Midland Railway Contract, to which I referred a day or two ago, has ciused great excitement, both here and in Christchurch. Tho Post refers to the matter to-night, and says that Ministers deny there is any dispute of the kind stated, but it is admitted that the contract has not been signed, and that tho company requires certain alterations, which are beyond tho powers of the Government, and which they do not see their way to ask Parliament to sanction, at present. The Agent-General, if is stated, is npgotir.ting with the company with a view to having the contract signed in terms within the existing Act. It is further stated that tho proclamation of the 18th January, reserving immense blocks of land in Nelson and Westland for mining purposes exclusively, to which wo referred, lifts been cancelled, but we iiannot find any notice? in tho Gazette of its having been revoked. Doubtful Votes. The Government claim Mr Garrick's vote in the ensuing division, and thq Opposition do not dispute {ho claim, although, judging b,y the speech of the member fprSt. Albajis last night, when ha strongly condemned several acts of the Government, especially the tariff proposals, one would imagine ho was a safe vote for tho Opposition. Messrs Reid and Bracken return from the South to-morrow, and both of them are relied on for the Government. Mr Mills, who is claimed by the Opposition, returns on Saturday. The Government are putting it about tjiafc they will secure the Maori votes, but it is' confidentially expected that KatcnG and Taipua will go with the Opposition. Mr Ormond's Speech. The member for Xapier this afteriioon made probably tho best speech of the debate, and received loud chee; •■>s .'Vom the Opposition on resuming his seat. He was particularly severe on the Colonial Treasurer, and quoted from tho various Committees of Enquiry that sat last session to investigate such claims as the Stark purchase, tho Steward debenture affair, and the Government insurance sites, ii: all o{ which the Treasurer Ssfured Mr Ortnond warmly supported tho amendment, and said he hoped the country w'ould soon have an opportunity of judging whether Ministers were entitled to confidence or no,