The Marlborough Express. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1893. IMPENDING POLITICAL CRISIS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXIX, Issue 202, 17 August 1893, Page 2

The Marlborough Express. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1893. IMPENDING POLITICAL CRISIS.

♦ It is rumored m Wellington that the Ministry intend to stand or fall on their Direct Veto Bill, which is expected to come up for discussion during the week. If this be so, an early dissolution is imminent. The Ministry, it is understood have had great difficulty m drafting a measure that would prove generally acceptable to the House, and this m all probability will be borne out m the debate on the second reading. Not that the Government Bill may not be an improvement on Sir Robert Stout's defeated measure, but the present position of affairs m the House renders its passage extremely doubtful. Jealousy and discontent are the rocks between which it has to pass The Government measure will proceed upon more moderate lines than those laid dowo m Sir Robert Stout's proposals ; but after the close division on the latter, and the fact that its author appears to have created general disorganisation m the Government camp, and annexed a considerable section of its membars to himself, the-Government'a chance with th-ir Bill looks almost like a forlorn hope. Should ihe Ministry desire to avoid an immediate dissolution they will doubtlesß withdraw the bill, if it is found not acceptable to the majority ; but it is not improbable m the present disorganised state of the party that they will seek this way out of what must be an intolerable state of affairs Our political realm oannot contain two kings, and it is wiser for the nominal sovereign to capitulate at once, and go out with some of the honours of war, instead of remaining to surrender later, unconditionally. Sir Robert is the Nemesis that has overtaken the Seddon Government. He is almost certain to secure their aarly downfall, but it is not so certain that they will come back from the country beaten; especially if they appeal to the constituencies, as is now probable on the Licensing Question. Wa cannot, of courae, say what the Government measure will be like, but that it will prove more acceptable to the majority, and more workable m practice than Sir Robert's proposal wa firmly believe. In this lies another strong reason for the Government making their bill a test question for not only the House, but also the country, to adjudicate upon. The member for Inangahua will have the support of the Temperance party, but, notwithstanding that, when the elections are over it will be found, we think, that the country has judged matters upon broader grounds than is covered by the contested clauses of a Veto Bill.