The Star. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1888. PARLIAMENT OUT OF SESSION

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume X, Issue 1842, 31 January 1888, Page 2

The Star. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1888. PARLIAMENT OUT OF SESSION

The member for Eangitikei has opened the ball of recess speeches. The whole gist of his speech is contained in a few sentences : — " They had now a Government which, was composed of sensible men, who had shown them they had the courage of their convictions, and who had given practical proof of their sincerity in carrying out proposals to lead the colony out of the pathways of danger. But they must not look to this or any other Government for their redemption. "What could they expect half-a-dozen men. in "Wellington to do towards restoringprosperity to the colony? "While a bad Government could do a lot of harm, a wise Government, in one sense, could do but little gooch A wise Goverment could merely, by practising economy, and making open ports, give them an opportunity for expansion. And this the present Government would do, and so long as they did so, he to whom they had accorded the honour of returning him as their representative, would give them his loyal and steadfast support." In another part of his speech he said the Government proposed to alter the tariff in such a way next session as to please both the freetrader and protectionist, but this end they would find it most difficult to achieve. '*' For his part, he would oppose any additional taxation upon either necessaries or the useful appliances of life." It id the second extract that possesses most interest for those who watch the movements on the battle field of party. The member for Kangitikei is fairly representative of a large section of the House, men who are ardent freetraders, and yet are loyal general supporters of the present Government. Now these gentlemen must find themselves in a difficulty. The Government is pledged to a revision of the tariff which shall be more or less protective in its character. The section of the House to which we have referred has therefore a divided duty before it — adhesion to a great political principle, or loyalty to party ties. Mr. Bruce says he will oppose " any" additional taxation upon either necessaries or the useful appliances of life. Is it to be understood that if Ministers make a Government question of the tariff, as of course they are bound to do, Mr. Bruce and his friends will vote against them P If so, the Atkinson Government is doomed, and the freetraders will assist to put into office protectionists of a deeper dye than the present Premier. If, on the other hand, they look at the question from the point of view of men who have to choose the lesser of two evils, there may be found a modvs vivendi for getting over the difficulty that is looming up for next session.