POLITICAL NOTES.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10462, 28 September 1899, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES.

[Br Tjxegrath.] (FROU OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) WELLINGTON, September 27. A DESERTED PREMIER. - Once more the Premier has. Nad to appeal to a generous Opposition to rescue him from a very awkward and unpleasant position; A littlo before three o'clock this morning, when Captain Uussell and others suggested that it was about time to go home, Mr Seddon, encouraged by the "Hear,.hear* , ' of his party, put on a, bold front, and expressed bis determination to go on with the Estimates. But many of the Premier's followers wont home, and the House giaw smaller and smaller. The climax was reached at a quarter past five, when a motion to adjourn was defeated by only 15Totes to 14. ThU revealed the fact that the Government had not enough members present to form a quorum (20). The Opposition had only to withdraw, and a count-out would be the result/ To the-~diamay of the Premier the Opposition proceeded to make use of their powers. As they-were about to leave the Chamber Mr Seddon appealed fo them to remain, and said ha hoped! they would do notliing 93 reprehensible es to count out his Estimates. If this were done, they would have to begin the Estimates all oVttt again. It was pointed out to the Premier that he ought to keep his own followers at hand; it was altoge'Sier too much to expect, the Opposition to keep a House for him. It was a humiliating position for the Premier, but all he could do was to pathetically assure his .opponents that he could not help it. The Opposition eventually agreed to keep a House while another item was put through and then go home, and this course was adopted. It is said that the Government Whips had a bad quarter of an hour after the adjournment.