POLITICAL NOTICE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2661, 1 August 1889, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTICE.

(BY TKI.KUttAI'II. —UWS COUIIKSI'OSDEST.) \ VI: f, u .VI; TO.V, We; Ir i esd, ty. A SUGGESTED COMPROMISE. Theue is at length some hope of a satisfactory arrangement being arrived at between the town and country parties over the quota question, representations having been made to the town party this afternoon that a deputation of the country members would be willing to confer with I lie other side, in order ro effect a compromise that might be acceptable to both sides Mr Seymour, the chairman of the country party, pointed out in his letter to the town members that his party would bo prepared to discuss the question of giving an addition to the coontry populations instead of making any deductions from the four principal cities, and also the areas to which the addition should be made. Jt was then resolved by the town party that a deputation to consist of Messrs Barron, Allen, Moss, Pereival, Fitchett, and Dr. Newman be appointed to confer with the c inntry delegates on the subjects. With that object in view it was decided to close the debate about -1 o'clock this afternoon. After Mr Menteitli had concluded his sp'.eeh no other member rose, and the Speaker then put the question "that this Mouse do now adjourn" which has been under debate since last Saturday morning. Them was a storm of "Noes" in answer to the motion which was lost by o7 to 27. The "previous question" was also put, and negatived and the division was called for on the motion "that, the House go into committee on the Bill." This was lost also by 57 to 27. There were several members about in town just previously to the divison, not expecting that the debate would finish till half-past seven, but all those who hail not paired reached the House in time to vote, except Mr Ormond who had gone for a short stroll I and returned a few minutes after the division was taken. Mr Ormond assures me that his absence was purely accidental, and that if he had been in the House he should have voted for the committal of the Bill, with the idea of getting reasonable concessions, as regards the quota, in committee.

CHEERING THE REPORTERS. Immediately after the division was taken Lhe Speaker gavo instructions to throw open tho galleries of the House. This being done, tho members of tho press gallery trooped in and took their seats in their accustomed places, lu doing so they received an ovation from members all round the. Mouse, a demonstration that has probably never been witnessed before in any legislature. After the cheering had subsided, (Mr Hamlin being in tho chair) the Colonial Secretary rose and said it was the general de-sire 'if tlio -House that an adjournment should be made till half-past seven, and he should move, therefore, that progress bo reported, which was agreed to after a .short discussion.

THE COUNTRY DEL KG AT KS. Tho following are tho names of the deputation appointed by Lhe country party to confer with the town representatives as to a compromise : — Capt. Russell, Messrs Lance, MacArthlir, Wilson, Seymour, \Y. J. Sr.eward, Fulton and Sodden, AX UNSATISFACTORY MEETING. Tho conference of the two parties mot after tlio House rose, the chair being taken by Mr Seymour. After considerable discussion the meeting separated, without any decision being arrived at, the town members considering that the concessions demanded by the country deleea'es—namely, 2>i per cent, addition to their population -were too exorbitant to be entertained, although they wore willing to give '2~> percent. Another meeting is to bo held, which is to be cunvened by the chairman, and it is hoped some satisfactory basis of agreement will be decided upon.

A DANGEROUS AMEN DM FAT. According to lobby gossip, the chief reason why tile country members have suggested a compromise is their fear that Sir Goorge Grey's amendment might be carried in committee as a sort "f desperate remedy for the present deadlock. The amendment as I have already wired you is to the ell'eet that tho act reducing the number of members slunld he repealed on condition that there should be a a dissolution this year, the election to be held on the principle of "one man one vote.''

THE COMING LEADER. .1 hear to-day that in the event of a general election after tho session Sir G. Grey will make a bold bid for the Loadership of the Opposition, by putting before the country a new and somewhat startling programme for tho regeneration of the human race in general and the colony in particular. 1 send you the report for what it is worth but everybody knows that 110 one is more dissatisfied with Mr Ballance's leadership than Sir George Grey, and tho probabilities are that the old knight may yet conceive tho idea of again leading a party as lie did iu 1577.