THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIV, Issue 192, 15 August 1890, Page 2

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

[From our own Correspondent.]

WELLINGTON, Aug. 14.

There is a growing feeling on both sides of the House that it is time to make some arrangements as to winding up the business of the session, and that by mutual concessions something can be arranged to end the state of almost chaos into which matters have drifted. It is understood that an informal " korero " took plaoe this afternoon amongst the chiefs of the Opposition party at which it was decided to feel the pulse of the Government as to what can be done. Reticence iB being observed as to what took place, and all that can be gleaned from the Hon, Mr Ballance and his friends is that they desire to effeot a compromise bo that some arrangements may be arrived as to the conduct of the publio business. This is understood to mean that the Estimates shall be passed without factious opposition, that

the labour Bills shall be put through with the least possible delay, and that the question of Judge Edwards' appointment shall be threshed out on its merits. Nothing has beeu definitely arranged as yet, but whatever is done, the Opposition are inclined to insist upon some security being given that the new Parliament will be called together in April next, and that no appointments be made to the Legislative Council in the meantime. If both these terms are insisted on, the pcheme is not likely to be productive of beneficial results.

_, . August 15, 3 p.m. The negotiations of fche pa.t 24 hours be-« tween the Opposition chiefs and the Government have resulted in a compromise being effected which should bring the session to a close within three weeks. The Shops and Factories Bill, and the other Labour Bills, to which no serious objection is raised, are to be allowed to pass, and no further factious opposition ia to be offered to the Estimates, A clause ia to be issued into the Appropriation Bill pledging the new Parliament to be summoned not later than the second week in April, and it is provided that if this pledge is not carried out, the Public Revenues Act shall not apply after Maroh 31 next, that is to say, Supply shall cease from that date. No pledge has been exacted by the Opposition with respect to the Legislative Counoil appointments, nor with regard to Judge Edwards' matter.