POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2481, 5 June 1888, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[by TKLECiUAI'II. —OWN OOIUtESI'ONDENT.] THE/POLITICAL SITUATION.

WixuNOTON', Monday. Rumour has been uncommonly busy during the last day or two, as to the intentions o the Government respecting their Budget proposals, and several members, with whom the wish is father to the thought, give as their opinion that no other source than that of resignation can possibly happen to a Ministry which has been deserted by nearly 20 of its followers. The Free Trade seceders are still ill a very angry frame of mind which leads one to believe that there is a good deal more under the surface than is as yet apparent and it is shrewdly suspected that the present discontent is being fomented by a few members for other reasons besides actual hostility to the tariff proposals. Some of the disaffected ones have informed members of the Government that they are quite prepared to take the consequences of their action whatever they may be. The whole situation at present is involved in doubt and uncertainty, and it is very difficult to fortell the outcome of it. I understand Ministers are determined to adhere to their Tariff, and, if possible, to carry it, which i.s hardly to be wondered at, seeing that after pursuing a policy of vigorous retrenchment during the last few months, they are still compelled to ask the House to agree to the imposition of taxation in its most unpalatable form. Ministers, I haar, will oppose two of Mr Ormond's resolutions, but will agree to the proposal for raising the school age, which, however, will be strongly resisted by the Opposition at the present stage, although when the education estimates are before the House such a proposal stands a good chance of being carried, in which case it will be the means of giving Ministers additional revenue to the extent of- £25,000. Ministers will call their party together to have some definite understanding for the rest of the session. In the event of the Freetraders refusing to support the Government on other questions of policy, Ministers liny be compelled to tender their resignation to his Kxcclleney. Should tins extreme course be adopted, it will lead to to a complete re-organisation of parties ; but Sir H. Atkinson would, no doubt, in the long run return to ofhee at the head of a pretty strong combination from both sides of the House, as the country is hardly prepared to accept a B.illance-Seddon Ministry, which would be the only alternative to the present Government.

1)1013ATE ON THE TARIFF. The present intention of the Government is to proceed with the debate on the Customs Tariff Bill to-morrow night unless a furthar adjournment should be asked for owing to the measure not being yet circulated? As the Bill itselt, however, will merely be a list of the duties as brought down in the Financial Statement, it is unlikely that any more delay will bo required by the Opposition. The debate is expected to last till Friday. THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. A meeting, convened by the Minister for Lauds, of members representing country districts and interested in the dairy industry, was held this morning in the Pailiam'entary buildings, to hoar information from 'Mr McCallum, who was formerly manager of the Edendale Cheese Factory in Southland, as to the cheese and buttar-making systems practised in tha colony. Twenty-six members were present, Mr O'Callaghan, Chairman of the Stock Committee, presiding. Mr MacGalium furnished a large amount of information of a practical nature. He favoured the Cheddar system for the manufacture of cheese as distinguished from the American, and recommended that octagonal boxes be u.-,ed in packing cheese for export. It was ultimately resolved to recommend that Mr MacCallnm's services be retained by the Government temporarily for the purpose of travelling round the country instructing farmer's and others in the manufacture of cheese and butter pending the arrival of an export from England, provided that the cost is within a reasonable limit. A DISTINGUISHED VISITOR,

A German Prince is at present in Wellington, staying, incog., at the Occidental Hotel under the name of Baron von Kalaip, accompanied by his two aides — de-camp, Baron von Hugo and Baron von Stark. His full title is His Royal Highness The Lamlgraf Frederick Wilhelm Xicolans Carl von Hesse. He is a captain in the Prussian Guard Hussars. He is first c insin to the Princess of Wales, and, by his mother, a direct nephew of the late Emperor Wilhelm, and a second cousin to the piesent German Emperor Frederick lIF. The Dowager Duchess of Cambridge is his great aunt.