POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2497, 12 July 1888, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(BY TELEGRAPH —OWN COHHESPOXDKNT.) Wellington, Wednesday. UNSUCESSFUL PETITIONS.

A CONSIDKRABLB portion of this afternoon's sitting was occupied liy a discussion on a report from the Public Potitnma Committoe on the petition of V. McKegney of Christchurch, who stated that in May List whilst employed at the ruliuf wiTks at Kaituna Valley he lost two of his fingers in working a crane. The committee returned the stereotyped answer that they had " no recommendation to make." During the discussion Mr Ward, who is also a member of the Public Petitions Committee, Rave it as his experience tlmt the committee were almost invariably guided in their report by tin , , evidence of the departmental officers of the Government, as they were in this case by that of Mr Maxwell, the General Manager of Railways. Mr Ward was opposed to the recommendation. Theso committees were simply a buffer between the Government and the people, and he thought petitioners coming before them had very little chance of getting recJress. The report was eventually referred back to tho committee for further consideration, and a hope was expressed by Sir John Hall and other members, that Ministers would see their way towards granting a compassionate allowance in this case. A THREATENED ATTACK. There has for the last few days been rumours floating about respecting a, modi dated attack on the position of Ministers. Tlie Post refers to the rumours to-night, and thinks there is little doubt that before the session is much older a determined attempt will be made to test whether Ministers really possess the confidence of the House. It goes onto say, "It is felt by the Opposition that if Ministers are allowed to retain their seats to the end of this session, it will be practically impossible to turn them out next session. Next session they will, if in office, doubtless bring down policy proposals, on which if defeated, they would have a right to appeal to the country. The time, it is felt, has come. The question is, will it, as it generally does, bring tho man that is wanted as a leader who would gather together the scattered forces of the Opposition? It is believed that theso, if united, would be sufficiently pc.verful to ensure victory, and from its ranks, no doubt, a good and capable ministry could be formed. If Mr Onnond or Captain Russell would take command, success would be almost certain, but it is doubtful whether either of those gentlemen would care for the position. The Hon. Mr Ballance would be a capable leader if it were not for his extreme views on certain questions. If a competent leader can be found, the Ministerial position will bo strongly, and probably successfully assailed before long." THE MEMBER FOR KUMARA. Business matters having called Mr Seddon away from Wellington for a time, Mr Walker to-day asked that leave of absence for a week, be granted to the member for Kutnarn, on urgent private business. Before the motion was agreed to, an opposition member interjocted, " make it two weeks," which caused some laughter at Mr Seddon's expense. THE MAIL SERVICE. Mr J. B. Whyte is to ask the Colonial Treasurer to-morrow upon what terms could our foreign mails be conveyed by the ordinary steamers trading to and from New Zealand, without subsidies, and approximately what annual saving would be effected by having them conveyed by this means, as compared with tin present system of subsidising two mail services.