PARLIAMENTARY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 139, 14 November 1887, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

Prom our Special Correspondent. BY IELEGr \ph. Wellington, Nov. 12. A meeting of members 'nterested in the question of Protection was held this morning, at which there were present Messrs Moss ( ; u the chair), Seddon, Kerr, Dowriie Stcwait, It. Reeves, Taylor, Cadman, B-'xtoo, Taiwhanga, Pratt, Ward, Fildwick, Jones, Steward, Dr Fibliett, Lawry, Tncmpson, Percival, Lamacb, Pish, Kelly, Lovcsta'i, Col. Fraser, W. P. Reeves, Joyce and Goldie. After a long discussion took place, ‘ i wh’ch it was unar'mously fond that steps shor’d bo taken to get an immediate revision of the tariff in tho dsection of encouraging local ”idustrics rather than of ‘ icreas'ng revenue, and that some pressure shor’d be brought to bear un the Government to en deavor to accomplish this end. The principal speakers wore Messrs Pish, Dr Fitchett, Reeves, Percival, T. Thompson, Goldie and Mork. Mr Goldio wly’st favorably disposed towards the pi mciple of Protection said he was not deposed to any proposal wl"’ch ‘'evolved a motion of no-confidence in the present G averment; there were other eonsidciations, however, which appeared to I 'm at the present hue to bo of more -'-npoitance perhaps than tho great question of Protection, viz., the question retrenchment, and as the Government had promised dm 'ng the recess to do so ho was not prepared to support any measure at the present l me wL’cb would liuvo the effect of throwing the Government out of office. M Monk suggested that a depuration he ar.po-'nted to ■wait on the >' we. 'iient assert ng that Major Atkinson was prepared to give a disf'net ph dgo that diir'ng tho rcce.-s the Cover? merit, worhl rev ho the tariff in the direction of protecting local industries, and if le did so lie thought that should be sufficient satisfaction for the rcqr'rcincnts of the ]>ai ty. Ho ft It strongly on tho mat' c”, and if somefh'ug "i that iffi--ccfion was done and a d’st'ict pledge g'vcii by Major All bison next. Session he should be found m the Opposition. Mr T. Thompson fo"o\vcd ’ll a s;r lar strain, but declared that ho would not ho made use of by Tiosc whose sole object, although not declared, was manifestly to tu i the present Government out of office. Ho thought if the present Government were ejected from ollico it meant the inevitable return to power of S” 1 Ju'uis Vogel, and, w 1 ''stbo was pledged to support Protection, especially as regr-ds local sndustries, bo was more emphatically rotu’ iicd to oppose any AcliuVstratiori of which Sir Ju'ius Vogel was a member. Finally a eorrmittc, comprisbjg Messrs Percival, Steward, Moss, T. Thomson, Ward, Goldie, and Seddon, were appointed to ascertain tlie views of tho Government upon the matter, and report to a meeting to be held early next week. It was very distinctly understood that none of the Auckland members were corr-r'lted to any Mu'ng whatever either for the present or future in corunction with Hie question. Tho deputation hrmedia+ely proceeded to wait on Major Atkmson, who gave the follovvmg reply: “It is impossible to deal with tariff + bis session, blit I propose caffing the Session Ajnil, when I :i----tend to have the tariff considered. J bclicvo I can brmg down a tariff acceptable both to Freetraders and Protfctionists. but I dec!'no to say in what d!motion J will revise the tariff further than say'ng I will tiy to encourage local industries. It would take two or ‘’tree months to prepare a tailff. lam neither a Protectionist nor a Freetrader "n the usual acceptance of those toi.ns.” Before addressing Major At! bison the deputation pledged themselves <lint if Major Atkinson worhl undertake to bring down a Frotcotioi : st tai'ff, they worhl guarantee the support of tho Protections! party in tho House. Major Atl : ’ison, however, absolutely dei’lncd the plfer, and said lie cor’d not if ho war’d, The Midland Railway CViouTtee lia t ngahi this moiu 'ig to i ! ua''y fix up tin rep* id. to be prcmitrl on T.. •.‘■day, but the attendance was sma’i, and on the suggestion of Mr Tyke it was decided to adjourn t : ” Mo ay. i ... Nov 13. r J here is very little moving now in political circles, and things are du’l : -i reference to the threatened amendment of Mr Moss. I hear tint it has en decided not, to p. iposc it at, Tie present. Ume, but that on belni’f of the Protectionist paity a Hioparalo motion vv.i” be la ought on when the financial del ate is over, ; id vvh'ch will be accepted as a party question. If tins is tlio case it, is probable that parties may become a bit mixed, as a number of the Government supporters were present at the meeting yesterday. The Opposition proper woi hi vote for tho inowon ,-imply because it is opposed cy the Go-iporuna-ut.