POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 7180, 6 April 1887, Page 3

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Mr Fisher received a vote of confidence from the electors of Wellington South last night. He spoke in opposition to the Government.

Mr Ormond addressed his constituents at Napier last night. While crediting the Premier with being a Liberal, he said that he was linked to the greatest Tory in the country, and therefore tir Robert was unable to carry out his own views. The charitable aid question was assuming such large proportions that some effectual means of dealing with it must be provided. The Civil Service Bill of last session was an impracticable measure. The efficiency of the Service could not be maintained if the proposed method of making political appointments was adopted. Besides punishing him (Mr Ormond) for his opposition, the Government had done an injustioe to Hawke's Bay in particular and the Colony, in general in refusing to complete the Napier-Wellington line, while they had taken votes for several non-pat ing lines. He would be no party to a stoppage of borrowing while a number of useful and muohrequired railways were unfinished. The reason why tho Insurance Committee of last session had brought In no verdict was because the majority of the Committee were composed of the political friends and supporters of Sir Julius Vogel, but the Committee had done gool work in the interests of policyholders. His idea of leasing the railways was coining to be considered as practicable. He would do all in his power to secure reforms in the railway management. Next session Parliament should deal only with absolutely necessary measures, and leave over all large questions for the new House, He should strenuously oppose any attempt to obtain twelve months' supplies. He was prepared toacceptpopulation as themain basis of the Representation Bill, butspecialconsideration would havetobegiventosparaely-settled districts. If population were accepted as the sole basis the four cities would be able to direct the policy of the country. Tho liberality of the existing land laws was due to concessions from all Bides of the House. Mr Ballance was thoroughly in earnest in his desire to settle the country, but ho (Mr Ormond) thought he was mistaken in promoting only tho perpetual leasehold system. Tho Government were not agreed as to land nationalisation, which had been ridiculed by Sir J. Vogel. The difficulties of tho country would not be met by perpetual leasing, which would only aggravate the unemployed difficulty and injure the country in other ways. The land question should also be relegated to the new Parliament. In the approaching session ho would resist additional taxation, and would insist on tho Government reducing their expenditure. He viewed with the greatest possible alarm any proposal to stop borrowing suddenly. They must limii their borrowing to the circumstances of the country, and if the money were rightly spent the country would bsnofit by it ultimately. In answer to a question, he said that he would not support Protection for the sake of Protection. A voto of confidence was carried by a large majority.