POLITICAL NOTES

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3119, 12 July 1892, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES

(BY TKLEORAPII— HPKC'IAL COIIHKSPONDKST). Wellington, Last Nieht. THE RANGITIKKI ELECTION. Mil Bliccu'.-i victory over the Ministerial candidate (Mr John Stevens) is very popular with both sides of thR House. It appears the Government wore so confident nf the Biicce.Hn of Mr .Stevens that they thought it unnecessary to send any »f their mi in her to Rangitikei to speak on his behalf, but they now attribute Mr Steven's defeat to the misrepresentation of the Opposition over thR Land Bill, and other policy measures. When we remember the idle boast made by the Minister of Education (Mr Reeves) last session, to the effect that when the Ministerial policy was before the country the Government would sweep the constituencies with ft rush, the bye elections since last session certiialy do not warrant such an assertion. Of these elections the Opposition ha* won three, viz., the Wailcato, Bruce, and Rangitike; seats, and the Government only two. Christchnrch and Wellington, which can scarcely be considered a very encouraging sign by a Ministry which is constantly alleging that the country approves of their policy. THE OYSTER FISHERIES. I understand that the Minister for Marine has received several strong protests from Auckland against the proposed closing of the oyster beds in that part of the colony under the Oyster Fisheries Bill introduced by Mr Seddon, FINANCIAL DEBATE. A very lengthy discussion is expected on the Budget proposal and several loading Opposition members are preparing exhaustive criticisms of the statement. The Debate Iβ likely b> last three weeks or a fortnight at the earliest.