POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2658, 25 July 1889, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

;bt TKLEoiun-r.—own cokkestonmjknt.) Wellington, Wednesday. THE FIGHT OF THE.SESSION.

Thk Representation Bill still blocks Mia passage of all other business, and although the House sat till nearly tour o'clock this morning, we are threatened with another all night sicting. The country members are determined if possible to crush the stonewalling tactics of the opponents of the Bill. In some respects the present position is similar to the session of 1881, when tho Hall-Atkinson Ministry brought in a Representation Bill, depriring Nelson and the West Coast of one member. On that occasion a memorable stonewall was set up, lasting for about three weeks, tho principles " masons" being Messrs Sesldon Reeves (Inangahua), Gisbourne, and the lato Mr Levestam, who then represented Kelson city. The stor.ewallers of the present Bill are, of course, deprived of the valuable services of Messrs Reeves and Seddon, although belonging to the country party, but they number Mr Fish amongst their ranks, and, as everybody knows, the member for Dunedin South possesses very considerable staying powers as well i's being exceedingly ready in do hate. Mr Fish informs me he intended speaking against the second reading of the Bill till six o'clock this morning, but he gave way at tho request of the other town members. They are fully determined to renew tho obstruction to the committal of tho Bill to-night, as it was decided at a meeting of the town party this morning that legitimate and constitutional means should be resorted to in opposing the passage, of tho Bill. Those present were Sir George Grey, Messrs Moss, Barron, Fish, Goldie, W. P. Reeves, Ross, Allen, Menteath, Newman and Fitchett. Before separating they agreed to meet again later in the day to arrange a programme tor the evening sitting.

MOVERXMENT SECESSION. Considerable comment is being caused by tho accession of Messrs Allen, Goldio and Withey from fclio Government party, all three having been pronounced Ministerialists dnring this Parliament. Tho nominal reasons for Mr Withuy's defection is the attitude of the Government over the Representation Bill, which the member for Newton, in common with all the city and suburban members, strongly opposes. At the same time, Mr Withey's allegiance to the Premier was without doubt considerably shaken last year over the resolution he tabled to the effect that instead of putting on so much taxation the (iovcrnment should still further reduce expenditure by £100,000. This was undoubtedly an awkward business for Ministers to deal with, especially as they had already effected reductions to the extent of 8'230.000, but after some difficulty the Premier induced Mr Withey to consent to the withdrawal of the motion, on tho understanding that every effort would be made to effect the reductions without being ordered by the House to do so. About a dozen other members of the Freetrade party refused to consent to the withdrawal of the motion, but Mr Vt ithey finally refused to act as teller for his own resolution, the result being nothing came of it. Mr Withey now considers he ha.; not been fairly treated by the Premier over that matter, and tho introduction of tho Representation Pill this session acted like the proverbial last straw so far as the support of the Government is concerned. Mr Allan, as well as Mr Withey, was strongly opposed to tho Protection tariff last year, and the former has also intimated to the Premier he cannot further follow him. Mr Fish of course has never been really regarded as a Government supporter, although being a Ktrong Protectionist, he has stuck to Ministers loyally [since the passing of tho tariff ast session. TACTICS OF TOWN MKMBERS. I understand it was decided at this after noon's meeting of tile Town party, at which Mr Barron was chosen leader, not to offer any unreasonable obstruction to the committal of the Representation Pill, but to use every effort to kill tho measure when it gets into committee. MINISTERIAL WAR PAINT. Lobby rumour has it that the Government mean to keep the Bill before the House till it is put right through committee, and will con ent to 110 adjournment til! this is accomplished. However this may be, I am informed by several members that they intend providing themselves with a plentiful supply of rugs and overcoats tonight in anticipation of sitting till daylight.

NO-OONFIDENCE MOTION. The town members confidently assert that the feeling amongst them generally is so sore against the Government that if Mr Ballance wore to move a " want-of-oonn-rienee" motion ho would carry it easily. Mr 13 illancc is not disposed to he made use of in this way, as no one knows better than the member for Wanganui that if Ministers wore defeated to-morrow, and decided on resigning instead of appealing to the country, Mr J3allanco could not possibly form a Ministry out oE the present House that would live a week.