Political.

Bruce Herald, Volume X, Issue 958, 16 November 1877, Page 5

Political.

THE DIVJSTON ON THE ADJOTTEKMBKT. Thd result of ♦.he division, by which Mr Travers m"tion was, by a majority of one, prevented fn>m being put to the House ; is summed up as follows :.—A t first sight the impression conveyed by the division is that of a defeat to the Ministry, but that defeat is re-ally but a masteily retreat of the Opposition. The resdution intended by Mr Travers was one £? censure of the very gtrongest kind on Ministers, and its pasfling in the House would have had all the force of a direct vo<e of want of ''confidence. By the strenuons efforts of the Opposition they succeeded. b,y a majority of one in receding from the position they had taken, and ultimately, on the motion of a supporter of the Ministry, and evidently with the consent of the Opposiuon, the waiter waß shelved. The position., iherefoFe, of the great privilege question is thiß— -The House )\W already called the governor to order for

I a breach of iSie privileges of Parliament, to j which his Excelieney ha 3 replied, and on tha* reply the House has passed no opinion, so that its former censure stands good and unqualified. It is, further, very clear that had Mr Travers's resolution been pressed itwould have beea defeated, for it was the the fear of that defeat alone that induced. Mr Travere, in deference to ". the head of his party," and, as Mr Lumsdeh said, "for the best of reasons," not to put the matter to the test. The Opposition, it is true, carried their point by a mojority of one ; but that point was to escape from an inevitable and signal beating, which would have resulted from standing by their colours. Through the astounding blundering, therefore, of their leaders, or wonld be leaders, the Opposition have really suffered an ignominious humiliation, and we caunot wonder that this egregrious bungling, which is induced by the madness of a desire for office, combined with, something like the recklessness of despair, has Bown the seeds of defection in the ranks or the Opposition. MR TKAVEKS'S MOTION". The motion which caused all this discussion and manoeuvring is as follows : — (1.) That a respectful address be presented by this House to his Excellency, thanking him for his meesage, and expressing the regret of this House that the circumstances referred to in his (excellency's message should have prevented his at once giving' a d^fisite reply to the addi-ess of the House. (2.) That, in the opinion of this House, the course taken by Ministers in relation to the matter. iv question waa unconstitutional, and otherwise improper, and deserves the censure of this House. ; THE ME f TING AT DTTNEDIN. >■ At the meeting at Duoedin ou Monday night, resolutions were agreed to;: — That in the opinion of thie meeting it is highly desirable, in the interests of the Colony, that the Government now in office should be allowed fair time and opportunity to investigate the state of public finances, public works, and Native affairs, and that the conduct of the late Ministry and their followers in endeavoring to prevent this is heghly obstructive and reprehensible. That as parties in th« General Assembly are so eqnally balanced that neither, side of the House have a woi king majority au immediate dissolution of tho Assembly la absolutely necessary. . . '■■ . -. . ... ■ A COALITION HINTED. The ' New Zealand, Tiniea* of a late date hints at a compromise in t.h^ W ay of a coalition Ministry of men of moderate views and" says overtures to this effect have been made in various shapes. The Opposition are quite wiiling to sacrifice Major Atkinson and all his late colleagues if only Sir G. Grey will retire, but the Ministerial supporters absolutely refuse to entertain any such proposal. Mr Stafford and his personal following will support any Ministry in which. Sir G, Grey is not, but the Government side are perfectly loyal. It is said Mr Stafford's object is to get a kind of provisional Ministry cf mbdiocricits in for the recess;" so that if be returns from England by next session ha may have the Premiership open to him. AS OPEN QUESTION. • Tbealliance with Mr l»ar.uach ! was looked upon as a serious weakness to the Ministry, but the difficulty has to an extent been got over by leaving legislation on the land question an open BuLject :— -The Canterbury run clauses of the Land Bill were warmly discussed, and strongly opposed by Sir ii eorge Grey. The matter was an open one with Ministers, however, and Mr Larnach voted for the 10 years, and the other, Ministers against it. PBBBON ALLY INTERESTED : Mr J.C. Brown raised the; question lliat several members whq were personally interested in the Canterbury run question had voted, and he wanted the vote disallowed. Mr J. 0. Biown named Mr MurrayAynsley, Mr Kolleston, Mr llicbardson, and othera. On Mr Murray-Ayniley being calkd on, he denied having any eirect pecuniary interest in the question, lie was not certain he would have any interest iv any run after l? 80, and the Bill ou)y affected runs after that date* Messrs Rolleaton, Gisborne, and Reid spoke, expressing an opinion that this being a question ot public policy members are not debarred from voting The matter is undecided, SAF/5 J'yK THB JJESSTO^ Major Atkinson- finding that. his £arty would not follow lut Travers in his vote of censure, Yf*i& anxious to shelve the affair. Tfee 6a\errjnient, on the coiitr&iy, wished to bring on Mr Travers's motion if possible, and tliey were rather disappointed iv beiDg beaten by one in two divisions on the question of adjournment. They thought bharp was going to vote with thtm, and the second time Mr Lumsclen promised to do so but Mr M "Lean got him not|to do it» Mr Gisborne now avowedly supports the Government, and one or two others are wavering, disgueted with Major Atkinson's bad management and leadership. It is now ahuQKt certain that the Ministrj' are safe for the session. Major Atkinson's no : confidence motion will never come on unless tniuisters know they can negative ir, when they niaj' give it a chance if he likes to take it. Several members o£ the Oppositi n say they will be no parties to any farther party 'contest, but not much reliance is placed on the "statement, and there is suspected to be something put up, and no one knows exactly what:/ Runionr has it that Mr Staflford is to replace Major Atkinson as lead.fcr, and will make one more attempt to .".unseat-' '"Sir George Giey- IVith ordinary precaiitipn, however, Sir George Grey wii| hfe seat, <