POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume 2507, Issue XXXI, 4 August 1888, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(BT TELKBRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, Friday. THE SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE. Mr Ward intends moving when the San Francisco Service is discussed, a series of resolutions the effect of which is as follows : —(1). That this service should bo discontinued and the direct servics reconstituted nn the following basis; bonus payments limited to 24 hours before contract time, all payments to be made on the weight of mail matter carried. (2). That separate tenders be invitod for a fortnightly and monthly services, the time for which shall be forty days from New Zealand, and forty-three from London. It is still reported that the vote for the fixed service will be negatived, but the Auckland members assert that there is a majority also _against the direct mail service so that it u difficult to say what the result will be. THE PRIVILEGE QUESTION. The report of the select committee appointed to enquire in-to this question was brought up to-day by Mr Walker, who, on presenting it, said he did not agree with the report, and that it only had been carried by a bare majority of the committee. The privilege question related to the laying on the table, by the command of the Governor, of Chief Judge McDonald's letter, commenting on Mr Hamlin's remarks to the House on the Mokau question, and the report was to the effect that as there was no question before the House at the time which could be influenced by the letter, no further action was taken. It was ordered to be considered on Thursday next. OPPOSITION TACTICS. Some soreness is felt by several of tho Opposition, owing to their not being consulted by Mr Walker previous to moving tho " no-confidence " amendment last night. I understand that the only members who weretakenintoMr Walker's confidence were Messrs Ballance and John McKenzio, and such strong party men asTurnbull, Seddon, and Feldwick, knew nothing whatever of the contemplated move. It was reported that another attempt was to be made today, to spring a surprise on Ministers, but it was abandoned if it had been entertained. I hear Mr Walker and his friends are much chagrined at the remarks made.

MAJOR JACKSON AND MR MOSS. The House was treated to a little diversion last night, by the manner in which Major Jackson showed Mr Moss' refreshing inconsistency. Mr Moss, as is well known, has been in opposition to nearly every Government that has sat on the Treasury benches, and the Premier put it very aptly the other night when referring to those frequent changes of front. He told the hon. gentleman that he (Mr Moss) never knew where he was. Major Jackson last nieht said the member for Parnell had quoted from Hansard to prove his consistency, but he (Major Jackson) would also quote Hansard to show the hon. gentleman's inconsistency. Mr Moss had stated that he was absent from the division in the House last session inadvertently, and that had he been present he would have voted with the Government, "the fact being," said Major Jackson, " that Mr Moss purposely abstained from voting on that occasion, and the reason was not that he could not vote, but he would not." He went on to say that Mr Moss considered himself the apostle of consistency, and was proud of his capability for keeping politically straight. The hon. gentleman's position was maintained on the same principles that kept up a top, and the quicker he turned round the more assured was his position. Major Jackson further said that Mr Moss had expressed his intention of voting for Mr Walker's amendment, but judging by analogy he (Major Jackson) thought the chances were Mr Moss would vote with the Government.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL PARTY. A meeting of members opposed to the Government was held this morning, at which twenty-five members were present. The meeting was convened by Mr Pyke, and was presided over by Mr Lance. Resolutions were passed to the following effect, "That thoae opposed to the Government resolve themselves into a party to be called the Constitutional Party; that a committee of seven be appointed to watch over the proceedings of Parliament, to meet at eleven every morning to consider the order paper to any Bills introduced, and if necessary to call general meetings of the party ; that Mr Lance be con *ener of such meetings; that no motion affecting the existence of th<» Government shall be moved unless it has been submitted to and approved by the party generally."

RAISING THE SCHOOL AGE. It was evident from the empty benches in the House this afternoon while Mr Tanner was advocating that the school age should be raised to seven, either that members are becoming weary of the session and are anxious to get away, or that the result of tho amendment was regarded as such a foregone conclusion that the_ House considered it unnecessary to listen to his arguments. Mr Tanner reproached members for absenting themselves on so important a subject.