The Hastings Standard Published Daily. SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 1896. THE NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE.

Hastings Standard, Issue 83, 1 August 1896, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 1896. THE NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE.

For the cause that lacks assistance. For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

Contraby to expectations the division on the No-confidence motion of Captain Russell did not take place last evening, and on Tuesday members will continue to talk to their constituents. The result is a foregone conclusion. The card has been pricked, and even admitting that the Opposition secure the votes of one or two members of the Left Wing, which is highly improbable, more than double will follow Mr Seddon into the lobby than will follow the mover of the No-confidence motion. The debate will take its course, and every member of any note who has not so far spoken—and every unit of the Legislature considers himself of especial importance— is bound to exercise his right of speech. We cannot overlook the important fact that this is the closing session of the present Parliament, which means that members must frame their speeches to tickle the ears of the electors. The speeches so far have been of a friendly order, and the personalities which have disgraced so many debates of the present session have been conspicuous by their absence. The greatest blame put up against the present Administration seems to be that the sinking funds of local bodies have not been used in a proper manner, but that we have already dealt with. Great fault is found that a non-borrowing Government should make a proposal to find a million for public works. The new proposals for public works expenditure are free from the extravagance that has obtained in years past. True the money required must be borrowed, and that fact is not disguised, although in the Treasurer's Statement a phrase was used for giving expression to it when the simple word " borrowing " would have been sufficed. Furthermore, the expenditure is demanded by the country, for the works on which the money is proposed to be expended are an imperative necessity. In venturing upon the expenditure Mr Seddon correctly interprets public opinion, and in all fairness this should be credited to him. It is pleasing to know on the authority of Mr'Duthie that the Financial debate did not collapse on account of members of the Opposition being at the races, but it is extremely probable that had the debate been allowed to continue its weary course in peace tie present

motion would not have been under discussion. It is at once apparent to all that certain members are speaking to their constituents, and no doubt some of the Left Wing party are pleased that an opportunity has been given them to explain their position. Mr Seddon's first Budget has, from its simplicity, lucidity and soundnesss robbed his opponents of their power of criticism, and in attempting to find fault with the administration generally the Opposition have, so far, made out rather a weak case. The Premier will make a distinct score when the result of the division is announced, and it is only those blinded by party zeal who will deny him his full measure of praise. We follow no party, and can therefore take an impartial view. •