POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 8268, 14 July 1890, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[From Odb Pabliamkntaht Eeportkb.] WELLINGTON, Jbi.t 11 Turning the Tables. Mr Menteath scored very neatly off the member for Waitaki in the course of the financial debate. It may be stated that Mr Dnnoan prides himself as being one of the strongest Freetraders in the House, and he made a bitter attack on Mr Scobie Mackenzie for what he called tho inconsistency of snch a pronounced disciple of Frcetrade as the member for Monnt Ida in still supporting a Government that bad brought in such heavy protective dutioß. Mr Mtnteath, in defending the member for Mount Ida, reminded the House that Mr Duncan, who had professed such strong Freetrade principles, was a thick and thin supporter of Mr Ballance, a gentleman who was such athoronghgoing Protectionist that he had publicly advocated putting on duties to tho extent of 40 or 50 per cent., and who, if be had his way, would close the ports of New Zealand. Altogether Mr Duncan was evidently chagrined at this little reminder, especially as it told ho well with the House as to receive a round of cheers. The ex-Premier on the Situation.

Sir R. Stout has been interviewed on current political topics by a 'Now Zealand Times' representative. He denies that he has been apparently guiding or controlling the Opposition, who, in his opinion, are just as able and capable as any Opposition we have had in Parliament for years. Looking at the present position of the House, he does not think that any useful legislation can be done this session, acid tliat the bent courao for parties -wml<l bo an early dissolution. Had the constitutional course been adopted—viz, a dissolution in March or April last—the new House would have met in June, and useful work would have been the result. As to the cost of a second session, ho says that two or three thousand pounds may easily vanish by bad legislation or bad administration ; so that, even if the money view were the highest, it would bo cheaper to have an immediate dissolution and a second sesnion than to carry on the business in the present state of the House. Tho fair thing for both parties is a dissolution with short supplies, and a pledge that no appointments shall be made to the Legislative Council, which is the same position that the Stout-Vogel Government were placed in and pledged to fulfil. He blames the Government for having lost heart altogether in pushing on the colony, and for being devoid of any suggestivenesa. Their only policy is a proposal for borrowing money to purchase Native lands and to make roads, and in the past all that they have been able to do was to cut down tho expenditure. It seems to him that the House has no confidence in the members of the present Government ; only that one-half of the Ministerial party are afraid to say so openly, though everyone apparently says it to his neighbor. Sir K. Stout disapproves of Mr Kichardson's land policy,! and says that if he (air Robert) had his way he would prevent large companies from holding land at all, and believes that in the incoming Parliament the right of banks and mortgage companies to hold large areas of land will be considered, and a remedy provided for existing evils of that kind. The primage duty is objected to, and Sir R. Stout does not think the love of education strong enough in the colony for it to be called upon to bear the brunt of an unpopular tax. The primage duty must be looked upon as altogether an exceptional and extraordinary tax, and should only be resorted to in case of dire necessity. Ha would have preferred seeiDg a graduated increase of tho Property Tax. Sir Robert says that if the colony cannot carry on its colonising functions without borrowing money, it would bo preferable to face that openly, and go to the London market, rather than to humbug with small loans and giving land ns security, as proposeil in the Financial Statement. While still advocating a "tapering off" policy, he thinks that a loan should be raised for completing and extending some lines of railway that are at present practically waste and unproductive. In this connection the Government ought to push en that part of tho Noi'th Island Maiu Trunk Railway which starts fn.rn the Hunterville end, the expenditure of the money to tako place at Wellington. The other lines that will have to be faced are the Jikct.ihu&a-Woodvillu connection, an extension of the Helensvillo North line for a few miles, and an extension of the Otago Central as far ns Ewcburn. The ex-Premirr is against complete federation with tho continent of Australia, bit thinks that New Zealand ought to make a strong effort to get commercial treaties both with Australia and Canada. Especially ought we to try to get both cable and steam soivice with British Columbia, going through British territory across the Canadian Dominion. Mr Allen's Ifeply to the l^otcst.

Mr Allen, replying to the protest of some Dunedin citizens against the prolonged and useless* wrangling, endorses the opinion of Mr Fish and Dr Fitchett that the discussion of the colony'* position is advantageous; but dissents from their view that a dissolution is desirable. The political atmosphere is stagnant today, everybody being at the races. iWr Hutchlfwn's Charges. Mr Withy was proposed as chairman of the Inventigation Committee, but declined to act on the ground that many other members boing veteran politicians were better able to fill what may lea vury oiicroiu position. JNo other was propowd. but the hope was expressed tl.at Mr Mnearttmr, who boinp; abseiit tonlrt not lie consulted, would atcept the ch'iirmanship. frohably the Committee wi!l occupy the fourteen days allowed by the resolution within which to report. _____^^______