PARLIAMENTARY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 20902, 23 May 1887, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

From Our Special Reporter. AVellixoton, May 21. Serious defections are taking place amongst tho supporters of the StoutVogel Ministry in consequence of the unpopular nature of. the taxation proposals. Messrs Pearson -and Iverr are known to have already informed tho Premier that tlicir votes can no longer be d. pended on, and other members are said to be wavering in their allegiance. Tho defeat of the Ministry on the threatened no-confidence division is now regarded as certain in Opposition circles. 1 am informal that, a majority of six against the Government is definitely reckoned upon. The Evening Press in an article censuring the Colonial Treasurer for having yielded to the pressure exerted by the Auckland Bootmakers ’ Association by promising a reduction of tho duty on leather, says that his conduct, with regard to tho duty is not only quite inexcusable, but totally inexplicable, except on tho supposition that he wishes deliberately to insult Parliament and to turn the whole of the proceedings on the budget into a contemptible farce. The Representation Bill is expected to pass tho Legislative Council without much opposition, but after it becomes law it will take tho commissioners some time to define the now electoral boundaries, and when this is done the compilation and printing of tho new electoral rolls will well occupy a considerable period. The Evening Post is of opinion that if a political crisis is precipitated, and an immediate appeal to the country is forced, it would stem that the general election will liavo to ho on tho existing basis instead of under the new scheme.