THE COMING SESSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9489, 19 April 1894, Page 5

THE COMING SESSION.

POLITICAL RUMOURS.

THE NEW SPEAKER.

PROSPECTS OP THE OPPOSITION.

INTERVIEW WITH DR. \ } NEWMAN. [BY TELEGRAPH.— OOBBSBPONDJJNSP*] VVbu,ij«Stow, Wednesday* Th« first session of the -new" Parliament i« coming rapidly into view. What will be the position of parties at its opening ? what questions will be most likely to test their relative strength will Ministers retain their relative following? These are questions not only on the tongues of the political speculator, bob they are evident in his looks. Some carious rumours have been afloat, which have given rise to this field of political cariosity. A usually well-informed correspondent informs the Otago Daily Times that "there are signs of a cabal to procure Government support for a candidate for the speakership who has never yet filled the chair." This, however, is a standing subject for rumour preceding the first meeting of every new Parliament. I have heard both the rumour and the name of the new man. He is a West Coast member. .

The consideration of Government business has not yet attracted sufficient attention to warrant any opinion on the subject. The " cheap money scheme," " the now Railway Commissioners,"and "Colonel Fox's letter, are uppermost in people's minds, but it is extremely doubtful at present whether any, except the first of those three, contain any element of danger for the Ministry. There are personal as well as political questions mixed up with almost every question that at present emerges from the crowd of topics likely to be discussed. The Governmont programme can only bo gathered piecemeal from the speeches of Ministers delivered at different places and occasions, but these are sufficiently clear, so far as the Government initiative is concerned. Probably everything of importance may be Included in the cheap money scheme, the Labour Bills, and the tariff. I had an interview with Dr. Newman, M.H.R., this morning, on the prospects of the session. He was, and is, perhapsoneof the mostetrenaousopponentsof the Government. He certainly does not indulge in any great hopes of accomplishing great things next session. I asked Dr. Newman what he thought would be the state of parties in the coming session of Parliament , when it met in June next. .

" At present," he said, " there is a powerful Government on One side and political chaos on the other. This is what usually happens in politics, for very Seldom is an Opposition united. The old Atkinson party is clean obliterated, therefore that party with its policy is extinct." "Will there bo an Opposition next session," I askod. "Certainly," was the reply. "I can't conceive a House and a Ministry, and no Opposition. A House all of the 'right colour' is positively unthinkable. When the House meets there will be Ministers on their benches, with their faithful henchmen in big battalions behind them; then there will be the cross benches, where men like Sir George Grey, Sir Robert Stoifb, Mr. George Hutchison, Mr. Earns'jaw, and other bold spirits foregather, and opposite to the Ministers are the Opposition benches, which will certainly not be left empty, but will be occupied by such people as Allan, Bell, Praser, Buthio, T. Mackenzie, Mitohclson, Russell, myself, etc. Doubtless as the session rolls on the Opposition and cross benchers will fraternise, and eventually become fused. That is tho almost invariable rule in politics. The cross benches form ferry boats, which carry over safely members across the narrow but deep strait dividing the Ministerial and Opposition benches. Oppositions do nob grow like indigenous plants from within bub rather, like snowballs, by additions from outside. The process of Opposition growth is like those beautiful experiments in electricity, where particles are repelled from one pole to tho other." "Then, doctor, what will be the policy of this new miscellaneous Opposition ?" " Nearly always Oppositions have no definite policy. They first formulate a policy when they become namerous enough to form a Government, not before. One great dividing line in the new House will doubtless bo tho liquor quostion. The temperance party, flushed with victory at the licensing elections, will demand that Mr. Seddor.'a abominable bill of last session be repealed, and that the temperance party be no lunger shackled and manacled, and that they obtain a fair field and no favour. The' New Influence' will notcease from strife till it wins. Then, too, as Ministers bring in measures doubtless they will repel followers from their own to the Opposition ferryboat —tho cross benches. Again, one great burning question is the commercial and agricultural depression which issosevere.and makes everyone depict a very hard winter. Many of us are very dissatisfied with the Ministerial mismanagement and lack of all wise management. We think Ministers, instead of picnicing and canoeing and banquoting and junketing and attending race meetings all over the colony, ought to bo taking counsel together for the purpose of lifting the depression which is causing such ruin, so many bankruptcies, anch widespread anxiety. It will be disastrous for the colony if, when the House meets, Ministers have to show only a record of pleasure trips, and a blank sheet of measures for the restoration of prosperity." I questioned the doctor as to what he thought of the railway revenue for the year just ended. He thought it very disappointing. The truest and most sensitive barometer of trade are the railways, and, as they show no practical increase for the additional mileage open, they show the colony is, as Sir J. Vogol called it, "dozing." As to the surplus, the figures are not published ; bub last year Ministers bragged of a surplus of £516,000, and predicted a surplus for the year just ended of £414,000, Yob, Mr. Seddon said at Giaborne it would only actually realise some £200,000; a very great falling off. Very ominously bad, therefore, is the outlook for the current year.