THE COMING SESSION

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2470, 10 May 1888, Page 2

THE COMING SESSION

(my •riir.Kcn.w'u—oivs cobrkstondent.) Whli.inotos, Wednesday. MUMBERS are arriving daily for tho performance of their sessional duties and are appropriating their seats in the usual wa.y before the big talking shop opens. Much amusement has been caused already by the fact of Sir Julius Vogel's seat having been quickly annexed by Mr Taylor, tho member for Sydenham, who is generally regarded as the funny mail of the House. Mr Taylor threatens to put some awkward questions to Ministers from the seat hitherto occupied by the leader of the Opposition, ana no doubt Ihe Premier and his colleagues are quaking in their shoos at the appalling prospect before them in this direction. THE ADDRE3S-IN-REPLY. It was generally understood this morning that Mr Vincent Pyke was to move the Address-in-Reply, but considerable doubt lias since been expressed on that point. Mr Pyke is now understood to be ahard and fast supporter of Ministers, and is still determined to push on to the utmost the construction of the Otago Central Railway. RESULTS OF THE SESSION. The general opinion appears to be that it will be a long and animated one, but that Ministers will remain in office unless they become hopelessly divided on the tariff business, FREE TRADE AND PROTECTION. It is well-known that tho Cabinet contains both pronounced free traders and protectionists, discordant elements in which it will take only Sir Harry Atkinson's skill as an experienced tactician to reconcile. A tariff will, perhaps, be brought down as will satisfy both sides of the House, the free trade section being convinced by the Premier's assurance that more vovenuo is urgently requested while Protectionists will gladly hail as a tirst instalment au increase in tho Customs duties that will benefit the loc;il industries of the colony at tho same time. The Free Trade party, which includes some of the Premier's staunchest supporters, talk very loudly of resisting any increase whatever, even if a dissolution were to follow. The fact, however, of an appeal being made to the country, | wipes no less than 21 members and their districts out of existence, will make members somewhat wary of defeating the Government. THE OPPOSITION LEADER. There is as yet nothing definitely known as to the leadership of the Opposition for the session, Mr B lllance and Mr Richardson are tho only members of tlis late Ministry at present available, but nobody ever thinks of tho member for Kaiapoi as a possible leader. Mr Bullance has no inclination to assume the leadership. He has also been advised by his friends to stand aside, for the present at any rate. Nothing is likely to be done in the matter till the bulk of the opposition members arrive in Wellington.