POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2976, 11 August 1891, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[BT TKLKGItAPH — SI'KCI.VI. ISKI'OIt I'Kli. ] WKI.I.INCroN, Ll-l Xlghl. THE AGEXT-GKXBItALSHIP. THERE was no news of :>>iy iiiU."-.'-t in the Lobbies to-d.iy, the chief topic of discission boiiit? the which must ha filled in ti month or two from the present timo. It is now reported on all sides, Mi it Mr Ballaneo is to j»o Homn as AgentGeuornl iit the end of the MS?iun, and although the milium- has been denied iroro than once, both Ministerialists and Oppositionists assort that then; is ".nirothing in it. The Premier him-elf keeps his own counsel, notwithstanding that several attempts have been niacin to draw him out on the subject, but the Opposition s iy they are determined to know who is to receive the appointment before the House rises, they point out that when Sir Julius Vngol appointed hiinself to the Agoni-Generalship in IS7<! the fact was formally announced to the House and they contend the Government should follow the same cmuso in the presont case. MR BALLANCE'S SUCCESSOR. The Post to-night referring to the ropoit of the Premier's intention to accept the Agont • Generalship says: "Mr Ballanee would not probably object to exchange the worry of political otliee, for a three, yens' tenure of the Agent-Generalship." ft, goes on to ask : " who would Mr Balance's successor as Premier be, rumour says Sir Robt. Stout in the Upper Hnu.io. Again we must urge objection on principle this time, a double-barrelled one, the Agent-General may bo arranged among a eeloct circle of politicians, but tho Premiership should not bo made n matter of private bargain or arrangement, the Premier should be the choson leader of the party, and ho should be prepared to lead it in Opposition well as in office. Wo very much doubt whether the Liberal party would bo prepared to elect Sir Robert even if Mr Billancu were out of tho way. a party does nut like a leader who hyberiiates when tho party is'out' aud only wakes up to activo political life when otlioe is nUainabh , . ttucli leadership is, to say the loa.st of it, an unsatisfactory service, as chief of an Opposition is valuable training for leading the House and the Government, this is one principle entering into the consideration of the eise, the other is that it would be deci ledly objectionable to havn a Premier in tho Upper Home. Of course, such a thing is not unprecedented. Several members of the Coun< il have tilled the office, but it was always found to be an inconvenient and objectinii able arrangement. Wo do not think the present House would sanction it for a mi'innnt ; it certainly ought not to do so. If Sir Robert Stout is willing to replace Mr Ballance, an i if Mr Billance and his par'.y desire that ho should do so, then he should souk a se'it in tho House of Representatives and promise not to vacate it when calhd on to go into Opposition. Them should be no difficulty in securing a seat for him. The House will, wo expect, require to bo fully informed of what is proposed before it is prorogued." GOVERNMENT BUSINESS. I hear that the Lmd Bill will be the next Government business taken up after the Taxation Bill has been disposed of. There is likely to be a tremendous •' slaughter of the innocents " shortly. It is 3tated that Ministers intend to drop the Electoral Bill, the Counties Bill, the Mines Bill, and several other important Government measures, amongst which is also said to he the Native Land Hill. Mr Cadman, however, eaya he will endeavour, if possible, to put the latter through in soino practical form before the session closes.