POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 236, 7 October 1887, Page 5

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

THE CAUCUS.

FULL ACCOUNT OF THE

PROCEEDINGS.

UNITED ON THE RETRENCHMENT

CRY,

OPINIONS OP NEW MEMBERS

(FROM OUK SPFX'IAL REPORTER.)

Wellington, this day.

Tiik much-talked-of caucus of the Opposition party took place yesterday afternoon, and the result is considered to be perfectly satisfactory, although no definite decision was arrived at. The feeling was unanimous with respect to retrenchment, and while it seemed to be the desire of the majority that protection and the proposed repeal of the property tax should be left till next session, others were of opinion that if Sir Julius Vogel or his party were to introduce resolutions bearing on these questions, they would be placed in an awkward position with respect to the Government by being compelled to give the proposition their support. The doubtful Northern members showed a decided disposition to put Major Atkin&on in office in order to

Keep Sir Julius Vogel Out,

and also to give him an opportunity of pro posing a scheme of retrenchment. The general feeling with regard to the Premiership appeared to be that Major Atkinson should take it, although one or two were in favour of a new man altogether. Your readers will doubtless be interested in the proceedings at the caucus, aud I have therefore gone to some trouble to get an idea as nearly as possible of what took place. There were present :—

Messrs Fulton (in the chair) Major Atkinson Moat All- Allan Monk ~ Anderson Menteith ~ Beet ham Scobie Mackenzie ~ Bruce McKenzie ~ Barron Mitchelson ~ Buchanan Moss ~ Carroll MeArthur ~ Cowan Merchant ~ Dodson Mills ~ Feldwick MacCregor ~ Fergus Dr. Newman ~ Fisher Peacock ~ G oldie Pearson Sir George Grey Rhodes Mr Hilsop ' G. Richardson ~ Hobbs Ross Major Hainlin Russell Mr Izard Seymour ~ Lawry Stewart ~ Valentine T. Thompson ~ Wilson . Taiwhanga ~ Why to R. Thompson ~ Ward Taipua „ Withy

This made a total of 48, and 9 others were accounted for. At the very outset of the meeting . Major Atkinson gave those present fully to understand that he did not desire them to pleige themselves to anything. He made some remarks on the piesent position of the country, and pointed out that we were

Coins to the Bad

at the rate of £21,C00 per month. He expressed pleasure that so many of those present were pledged to retrenchment of a drastic chaiacter. His proposal was that before any addition was made to the taxation of the country, they should endeavour by retrenchment and economy to faring the income within the expenditure. He wished to discuss the position with them before arriving at any resolution, and then they might adjourn till Saturday. They must endeavDur to secure the victory ■ which the country had placed within their reach, and so save themselves from going back to Sir J. Vogel. True, there might be some little difficulty in the selection of a Premier, but ho would be prepared to loyally support any member chosen for that position by the party. There could be no difficulty in the way, provided that members were prepared to

Sink Ambition for the Good of tbo

Country.

Tins statement by Major Atkinson appeared to create a very good impression, and it was followed by a discission of a general character, in which most of those present took part. Sir George Grey endorsed much of what had fallen from Major Atkinson. He said he hoped self-abnegation would actuate the minds of all who were present. Mv Fisher followed Sir George, and pointed out that really the only question before the country wasJ retrenchment on a scale that would bring our expenditure within our reduced income, and place the finances of the colony in such a condition that we would again command the confidence of those in the Old Country who have a potent interest in New Zealand because of the money advanced by them. He expressed the hope that the party iormed would

Put an End to tne Unsound Finance of the last two or three years. He would also support whichever Government was formed, and hoped it would be strong enough to stand not only this session, but also the whole Parliament. Mr Peacock pointed out the desirability oi guarding against any attempt to break up"the party by the introduction of other questions. They should confine themselves for this session to retrenchment. Captain Russell-expressed pleasure at the stronf feeling that was being manifested againsb any coalition, and hoped the possibility of such a contingency would be removed by members from their minds. His own party believed that if such a coalition were brought about it would never stand. ~ Mr Seymour concurred in the disastrous results that would follow a coalition, and this brought Major Atkinson to his feet again, and he informed the meeting that he had told His Excellency that he could bo No PArty to a. Vo ß el Combination. Mr Dodson expressed himself satisfied with the explanation made by Major Atkinson, and thought we should go in for practical retrenchment. His own impression with regard to the choice of a Premier was that it would be better for us to have a new man altogether, rather than one who had previously been in office; the country W Mr e M a ar C cS e \lid not agn. with Mr Dodson, and thought that in the present crisis the country wanted a leader wellknown and respected, both at Home and ab MrHislop considered it had been a mistake to take in Sir Julius Uγ were tryiag to find a perfect man. It would be a mistake to take chance and throw aside the old andtxied men. The simple issue beforei them, was ietrenchment, to be brought about by con-, stitutional measures. niin ~_ Mr Bnrron said that to him the question was not of men but of «ea«ur» TTj iy little time was required to bring about ,a drastic scheme of retrenchment, but it any Mnttry was formed that preferred office to ddngtlirdutyin this .JW* mve them a short shrift. what they wanted was remorseless and cold-.blooded putting in of the pruning kmie.

Mr Moss considered the object on which they were united was retrenchment), and no one could so well take that in hand as Major Atkinson. His acquaintance with the Treasury marked him as the one for the duty. Major Atkinson would be entitled to a generous support and a liberal construction of his action if he undertook the duty, which he hoped he would. Hβ thought the proper course would bo to

Pledge Themselves to Support Major

Atkinson till the Financial Statement was made, on the understanding that the statement was made within a fortnight of the new Ministry assuming oifics; also on the understanding that the salary of Ministers in the new Government should not exceed one thousand a year. This he regarded as the key to any retrenchment they might undertake. Retrenchment would thus be affected, but it wan not to be supposed that he and others who considered protection to native industry of vital importance would not expect that also to be considered by any Government they supported. Only they might waive that till retrenchment was effected provided that no time was lost,so that the one might not be entirely shelved by the other. Mr Buchanan eaid it gave him the greatest satisfaction to learn that there was no prospect of a coalition with Sir Julius Vogel. The people of hie district gave him positive instructions to do his best to

Keep Vogel Out ot Power.

He would take the same course as M r Barron and give short shrift to any Minis' try that did not fulfil the expectations the country on the question of retrench" ment.

Mr Beetham facetiously remarked that probably the young dogs present would consider the meeting , purposeless, but the young doers were there to hear the old dogs. He was pleased at the disposition shown for retrenchment, and to keep clear of a Vogel coalition. It had been said that he (Mr Beetham) was an aspirant for 'office, but he was entirely innocent of anything of the kind. He was sent there pledged to vigorous reforms, and ho was

Prepared to Sacrifice Himself

to his country for his country's good. Mr Hobbs announced that he would not follow any man unless he was prepared to go in for drastic retrenchment. Mr Pearson said he was one of the four black sheep who came from Canterbury. He was in favour of drastic retrenchment, and preferred a united New Zealand to a united Canterbury. In a word hie district was

Against Both Vogel and Atkinson, and he would have to carefully consider whether he would follow either of these leaders. He promised, how& $r, to j;ive a definite answer at next meeting, Mr Whyte wished to know how many leaders they had at command, and if Sir P. Whitaker was one.

Major Atkinson gave him to understand thai in the present condition of Sir F. Whitaker's health, he could not undertake the position.

Mr .Carroll said that as one of the native race he was there to assist the party interests of Europeans, to help vigorous retrenchment, and to secure better legislation in the direction of native lands for his own people. Mr Beethain reminded those assembled that attempts were being made to

Upset tho Present Party, and he hoped they would stand shoulder to shoulder till the end of the present session, and carry out a great scheme of retrenchment.

Mr Whyte asked who was likely to fill the position of Premier, and was informed that Sir John Hall was not veil enough in health and Mr Orruond not willing-. M r Fergus expressed pleasure at tho desire shown for retrenchment, and at the co-operation of Sir George Grey. He would like to uee Major Atkinson as Premier rather than as Treasurer, but would support him for either position because he did not believe he could be done without.

Mr It.'Thompson wanted to know what amount they would go in for in effecting retrenchment, and wiv3 informed that that was a matter of debate.

Mr Goidie said he had been out for Auckland to advocate drastic retrenchment, but there were other planks than this in theplatform. He inquired what the party would do in the event of other questions in the programme laid Jown by himself, such for instance as

Protection Being Introduced by Sir

J. Vogel

It was stated in reply that the Government only could introduce questions of this kind, and that these questions would not be raised this session, as it was the intention to have a short cession, md the great subject of retrenchment would be likely to occupy the whole attention. Mr Seymour pointed out that although no one but the Government could introduce the question of protection, it was competent for private members to move a resolution on a subject on which members might be compelled to vote against it. It was explained that such a resolution could not be brought on unless the party willed it. Mr Feldwick legietted that so much had been said about retrenchment and that co many members had taken up the cry of the Financial Reform Association. It was a great mistake that the

Salaries of Poor Officials

should be cut down when other and larger questions ought to be discussed. He thought their way should be prepared to submit a policy something beyond the mere question of retrenchment. He would like to be in the position of

Being Allowed to Bat

when and as often as he liked till the Government party would carry out his views.

Mr Monk before pledging himself said he would like to know what; the party was likely to do. It was a great mistake for people earning £300 a-ycar to spend £400. This was what we were doing now as a country. We. were living far beyond the resources of the country, and bringing up children to natal infamy. He and those who were witii him were not going in to make reductions in sweepers' salaries, but were going to

B Bin With tbe Governor

and Ministers themselves. He did not wish to throw any apple of discord down, bub would like to know how much- they were going to reduce the Estimates by. He would uke the Treasurer to show what the expenditure of the country was, and also where reductions could be made that would bring it within the income. He would also like to see the purchase of lands from the natives free to all, restricting only the quanity of land so purchased. Mr McGregor said it was desirable that the information obtained that afternoon should be allowed to filter through the minds of young members between that time and next meeting, and he therefore moved the adjournment of the caucus till next afternoon at 4 o'clock. Mr Roes seconded the proposal. He said that in his district ifJwre was a strong prejudice against e&llier Major Atkinson or Sir Julius Vogel holding the position of Premier, and he inKjjfWted that Sir.F. Whitaker be chosen.

The caucus then adjourned till 4 gfoloek this (Friday) afternoon.