THE PREMIERS VISIT TO ENGLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10378, 1 March 1897, Page 5

THE PREMIERS VISIT TO ENGLAND.

SIR ROBERT STOUT INTERVIEWED. Taking advantage of Sir Robert Scout's visit to Avokland to attend the University Senate a Herald roporter waited on him to ascertain his views regarding Mr, Seddou's trip home to attend the June celebrations in London. " Have you any objection to express yoiiß opinions abojit Mr. Seddon's visiting England to take part in the celebrations in Juno next?' , asked the reporter. "I nevor naye any objection to express my views on political questions, It smiis to me, however, that the wroug issue, has been raised." " In what way, Sir Robert?" "No one, so far as I know, has ever objected tp Mr. Seddon visiting England just as no one has objected to hjs seven or eight weeks' holiday in the Australian colonies." " But do you suggest he can go without consulting Parliament ?" " I suppose hp mjght, and I do not think anyone would object, The point is, must the Parliament cease work when he is absent i" " Do you suggest the Parliament cmld sit il he was absent?"

" Why not 2" said Sir Robert. " Sir Julius Vogel, when Premier, went Home and was away during a most important session (in 1875), when the whole question ot Provincial verses Central Government was being discussed and settled. The Parliament and Ministry got ou without him. Iu Queensland, too, the Parliament is' to sit iu the Premier's abseuce; so in Tusmania, South Australia, and Western Australia. Is it not suggestive, if not extraordinary, tha.t iu New Zealand our Parliamentary machine cannot be run if one man is absent? Such an assertion justifies, tq the full tho statement made long ago by myself and others, that we have no Liberal party, but the dominance of ono man? It is a one-man Ministry, guided by no fundimental principles, but bound to ohey the whims of oneinan; and he acts in the way that he thinks will secure the most votos.'l "Bat will the Parliament allow 4 second session to be called together and fuude given to carry on the Government in the meantime?" " I cannot speak for the Parliament. If the Ministry choose to confess their inability to carry on the work of Parliament in Mr. Seddon's absence, and if he asked for say a month's extra eupply to what the Public Revenues Act and Appropriation Aoc gives him, thus forcing Parliament to be called together in August, perhaps no great objection would be raised. I presume that the information denied to Parliament about our finance and administration for the past three years will now be supplied." " But cannot that wait till August ?'' asked the reporter. "No doubt, if it will be supplied then. The other question is that some, explanation must he given by the Ministry ot the Hon. John MoKeuzie's statement about the Bank of New Zealand, " When do you think Parliament will be called together ?" "There is no immediate hurry for Mr. Seddon leaving till the Sail Francisco mail in May. This would land him in London a week before the celebration, aud he could leave London on July 10, and arrivo in Wellington on August 14, and the Parliament could meet a week later.

" What is your opinion about New Zealand being represented at the celebration ?" "Anything that tends to bind the Englishspeaking people together 1 would over encourage, and if is thought that sending someone to represent New Zealand in the pageant would contribute to that end in ever so small a manner I would support the proposal," "But what will Mr, Seddon do?" " I should say nothing. There will be so many representatives, that ours, however distinguished, will be but a drop of water .in the ocean. Mr. Seddon's personal fitness need not be discussed, and 1 certainly decline to express any opinion on it." " Do you expect a stormy session ?" "If the Parliament does its duty, thore will be vigorous discussion and vigorous action, and the freedom which once characterised the Parliament of New Zealand should be restored to it. Prophecy is over a dangerous i'6lc, and we can all wait till August,"

THE HON. W. ROLLJJSTON'S OPINIONS. The Hon. VV. Rolleston, M.H.R., in answer to questions by «, Herald reporter aa to the proposed visit of the Premier to London, stated that, speaking as an individual member and fop himself alone, it was his opinion that the responsibility rested with the Government, and it was uot for the Opposition to (alee the initiative. If Mr. Seddon did not think it advisable to leave one of his colleague!) iu charge with an ordinary session of Parliament, he would probably do what had been suggested, call Parliament together for a short special sesaion in April, bring down the public accounts, and give fuU information as to finance and other matters. Until Parliament met and members on both sides had an opportunity of conferring the terms on which and the extent to which supply would he given could scarcely be determined, The general wish, however, would no doubt bo that New Zealand, through the Premier, should take part in the loyal demonstration, which wl)l be one of the greatest events of the century, He was satisfied that the House generally would approach the question with a desire to act liberally and loyally,