POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2399, 24 November 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[nv TEI, KURA I’ll.— OWN CIIKKKSI’DNPENT.J The Tariff Question Wku.ixi;rox, Wednesday. It is understood tli.it Hie overwhelming majority which voted with the Ministry yesterday afternoon has effectually disposed of tlie question as to whether there should he any revision of tlie tariff this session. Midland Railway Management. I hear to-day on good authority that the report that Sir Julius Vogel was to receive the appointment of managing director in New /calami for the Midland Railway is correct. It is further stated in conm-cti m with the appointment that Sir Julius will probably have to proceed to England to arrange the financial operations of the company. Notice to Quit. Although the present Ministry has been in olfice for nearly two months, Sir Julius Vogel has nut yet given up Ihe Ministerial residence on Tinakori Road, winch he has occupied for over three years past. Notice was served upon Sir Julius yesterday, however, to vacate the promises (the “ Cassino,” as it is generally styled nowadays), in favour of one of the present Ministers. It is suggested that this little incident may have risen Bir Julius’ ire yesterday, and accounted for the action he took over the tariff question without consulting any of his party. Reduction of Legislative CouncilI gather from a conversation with a member of tlie House that a large majority of the Council are opposed to the contemplated reduction of that chamber to 35 members. My informant points out that if sncli a sweeping reduction was made it would be absolutely impossible to transact tlie business satisfactorily, as at present the average attendance is only about 30, out of 47 members in all. Parliamentary Government. It has frequently been stated in the House of late that Parliamentary Government is a failure. The New Zealand Parliament has hitherto been far ahead of its neighbours in the other colonics, but judging by the in-inner in which public business has progressed this session ami the open defiance of the Speaker that lias taken place, it stands a good chance of being placed in the same category as some of the sister colonies. A leading Australian paper asks—- “ What are our Australian Parliaments coming to ; without scarcely an exception they are indolent, talkative and obstructive.” Instances arc given of constant disorderly conduct in several colonial legislatures, and in the present session of tlie Victorian Parliament, which has been in session for over seven months, tint has scarcely passed a single measure. The Premier and leader of the Opposition, although they have occasional tiffs, are continually milking arrangements for the despatch of business, but that the work of the country remains stationary, and it cannot be ferried over an endless .stream of talk. It Australian Parliaments continue to transact public business in the same manner as they have hitherto done, they will go from bad to worse, until the Parliamentary system breaks down altogether.