THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 126, 30 May 1887, Page 8

THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

INVENTIONS ©F TEE GO•VJBEBBUSNT.

(BY TELEGRAX'H—OWN RBPOETEE.)

Wellington, this day. The probabilities in the event of tho Opposition refusing supplies to the Government havo been freely discussed. lam assured that under such circumstances tho Government would resign, although I believo that it would bo within their power to make an appeal to the country on tho old Representation Bill. This, however, is foreign to their desire, as they profess to bo anxious for the election taking placo under tho new bill. The Government platform, in the event of a general election, should bo of interest. At tho present timo Ministers are resolved to go to the country on the tariff which lias just been rejected, believing it to bo calculated to restore languishing industries to a vigorous condition. Thoy will refuse to allow any reduction to be made in the Education or Defence votes, but promiso retrenchment and economy in cvory brunch of tho public service. They ridicule tho idea of a saving of LIOO,OOO in tho Defence voto, seeing that it is properly only 150,000 altogether, tho other L 102.000 being for tho inuintonunoo of civil polico force. Wellington Opinion. In an article respecting the probablo results of tho dissolution tho " Tost" says :— "Tho judgment of tho country will, wo oxpect, bo so unequivocal that the question as between protection and free trade will for a long timo ceaeo to be included in tho rango of practical politics in New Zealand, and parties will bo founded on altogether other lines. But Major Atkinson, although ho headed a majority in tho lobby last night, must not lay the flattering unction to his soul that thoso who voted for him, in condemnation of tho ■ Government Budget, approve of him, or aro inclined to accept uny policy which ho may proi>oimd. Neither the House nor tho country is any more prepared to accept a Hull-Atkinson Government or any revival of tho Continuous Ministry and its policy than to accept protection and enablo tho present Ministry to give effect to their view*. Major Atkinson, oven though backed up by Sir John Hall, could not,we are convinced, form a Ministry which would command influence or support in or out of the House. In fact, tho public feeling, and it is rtrongly reflected in the Houmu, is that the Ministerial portfolios should no longor bo treated as shuttlecocks to be thrown from, battledores to battledores in the bands of two select parties of experienced players, while all tho best of tho House aro reduced to the position of mere spectators. Tho country is tired of its old loaders and their small coterlos who assumo a monopoly of succession to oflice. Thero never was a time when tho desire was so strong for now blood, and to have in oflico a Ministry who would bo ablo to take a now and independent departure unhampered by precedents of its own creation and of its own past."

Blext- Elect i on-Vudet WJiicb ISM? An endeavour will bo mado by tho Opposition to securo ono very important amendment in the Representation Bill before it passes. It appears that the commissioners are nob requirod to report now boundaries until lapse of tbrco months. An amendment will bo' moved requiring thorn to fix tho boundaries and report forbhwibh. A clause will also bo introduced repealing the present act. The Opposition dodaro they will not attempt to refuse supply to the Government if the election is bo bo carried out on tho basis of the new representation act. It is, however, probable bnab they will seek a promise to bhab cflbcb in black and white, on tho same principle as was pursued with Sir Goorge Grey's Govornment several years ago. An Important Point Elucidated The Chairman of the Paparata Road Board has been . representing, through Mr Hamlin, tho desirability of an amendment in the Rating Act. His contention is this :—" Any person buying or leasing property after the valuation roll is made up has no vote until tho next valuation roll is made which may bo two or throe years; wheras fieoplo who have sold or leased their and arid loft the district, may come and exercise their vote, having^ no real interest in tho district." In his letter to tho Premier Mr Hamlin says :—" Ido not think the above contention right. ' Clause 3 of the Rating Act, ISS2, favours the above idea ; so does Clauso 88 of highways Act, 1882; bub I think Clauso 10 of the Rating Act, 1882, gives the Chairman and members of the Road Board the former to strike a name off their roll and pub another on." Tho Promior replies that the contention of Mr, Hamlio is tho correct, one and that clause 10. meets the case. The point is an important one to ratepayers.