POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2830, 2 September 1890, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(UV TKLfcIJ K A I'll —OWN COIIKKSI'ONDISM) Wki.I.INCTON, Monday. THE LABOR QUESTION.

Ml! Fish took the opportunity this afternoon of moving the adjournment of the House in order to protect against the presence of tho military force on the Wellington wharf on Saturday afternoon, also against the Union Company's steamers being allowed to leave the various ports without being fully manned, and, further, to afford the member for Uunodin South an opportunity of making still another electioneering speech on the labour question. It was noticeable that tho debate, with one or two exceptions, was altogether different in tone from that of Friday afternoon, and was much more moderate in character. The exceptions were Mr Ballance, Mr Fish and Mr Moss, all of whom spoke in a heated manner. Mr Ballance s remarks were of such a strong party tinge that they roused Captain Russell who was suffering from a severe cold into making a spirited reply, and lie twitted the leader of the Opposition with being unable to approach tho discussion of any question without making an attack on the Government. Captain Russell, judging by the way his remarks wore cheered, evidently had the House with him, when he defended the aetion of the Government in sending the Artillery on the wharf on Saturday, on tho ground that Ministers wore responsible for preserving order in the country and seeing that the colonists were protected against any possible conflict that micht arise in the present crisis. Mr W. P. Reeves's utterances this afternoon were also in direct contrast to his speech, a few days ago, and the frequent reference he made, to the necessity for mediation, by the Government, which he thought would be acceptable to the Unionists, are regarded rather hopefully, as indicating a desire for arbitration of some kind, by the labour unions. It may be mentioned that the speech of tho member for St. Albans, on Friday was of such n hiehly inflammatory nature, that it was generally condemned, even bv the moderate Oppositionists. The House was therefore somewhat surprised to-day when Mr Reeves expressed himself strongly against the railway men coming out and he openly stated that a railway strike would be, not only a colossal blunder on the part of the men themselves, but it would also be a national calamity. The debate occupied the whole afternoon, the subject being talked out, for the present, at any rate, by the dinner adjournment intervening. THE GENERAL ELECTIONS. The Representation Act Amendment Bill received the Governor's assent to-day, and notice has been sent to all the registrars in the colony to have the rolls for the new elections ready in thirty days hence. That means that the writs are returnable within seventy-two days from to-day, so that the whole of the elections will have to be concluded by that time, Tuesday, November 11th.