POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10919, 28 September 1897, Page 5

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

(Fbom Ode Own Correspondent.)

Wellington, Ssptember 27,

CROWN LANDS REPORT,

The Laud 3 Rspor'; ia iikely to furnish a good deal of food for discussion, as, apart from matters of a controversial nature, it will be found that the figures do r.ot tally and the bookkeeping is appaiectiy at fault. The Sgures regarding the roads at Cheviot are also very hazy, and apparently the return is unreliable.

THE AWARUA SEAT

The Opposition caucus which was held tc-day lasted from 11 til! nearly 1 o'clock. Captain Ru;spH presided, fctsd there were 25 members present. Six olhfcrs were accounted for, so it will be se?n that the Opposition have gained in strength since last session, He Crowther being one who ha-i definitely gone over to them. The principal matter'diacnnsed at tho caucus was the question oi B3r Ward's election as a member of tuo House while he is still an undischarged b.'.nlrrupt. The pros and cons of the matter were goneintoat someleugtb, and the party were unanimous that t'sey should nofc deal with it in a personal light but purely on constitutional grounds. Tfcere vrsa a very decided opinion expressed that uuoer existing circumstances Mr Ward is not entitled to the honour and privileges of a seat in Pnrlisment, and that an opportunity should be allowed the Government to take the initiative. Failing this'being done by the Govern- j tnsut, it was sgrted that the Opposition should move in the matter. Therefore, when the Houss meets at 2.30 to-morrow, Captain Rosseil Trill ask the Government what they propose to do in regard to the Awarua seat. If Mr Seddon gays they do not intend to do anything, then Captain Russell will give a notice of motion baariug on the mattar. It is impossible at present to say how this notice of motion will be worded. It will depend largely of .course on the answer given by Mr Ssddon. In the meantime a committee of four—Captain Rus3el!, Messrs Rolleston, Geo. Hutchison, and Scobie Mackenzie—have been appointed to draft the motion. If, as has been atiited, the Guvercmcßt are goiog to allow thsir following a free hand, then their motion will in all probability be carried, but th-sre is little doubt that there will be a good deal of quiet whipping in the Ministerial ranks to defeat this line of action. The question is causing uuiuu.il interest, and the divisioa lists will, no doubt, be eagerly scanned by the free and independent electors all ever ths colony should the mattar be forced to a vote.

A CHANCE OF DEFEATING THE GOVERNMENT.

Everyone seems to recognise that the Government are not likely to repose on a bed of roses this session. The Opposition have gained in strength by last election, and Mr Crowther'a disi-.ffection from the so-called Liberal party further strengthens them. One or two others ■whom I could nama wculd be williag to join them on the slightest pretext. As a matter of fscl; there are one or fcivo possible combinations by means of which the Government could now actually be turned out of office—that is, if ths Opposition wer* anxious for office. At the present juncture you ln&y rely upon the absolute authenticity of this information, for it does no!; rest on mere rumour. I am, however; unable to say more at present, beyond' that I fioubfc very much ii the Opposition iviil avail themselves of the opportunity! It will be much bettur to let oiK-tturs drift en a little kmger under the Seddon regime for, no doubt, in due course the country's eyes will be opened, and a change will be welcomed. •.

THE OPPOSITION AND THE COMMITTEES.

Another matter that was discussed at the csucus wag fee constitution of the various committees. 1 bore is great indignation among the Opposition at tha grossly unfair composition of the various sessional committees as prepared by the Government. Practically all the committees of importance are absolutely swampad with members of the right colour. Take the Printing Committee, for example, which has ihe control of Hanfard Out of 10 members seven are Ministerialists, and only one is an Oppositionist, the Speaker and one Independent making up tb.6 tal&nce. la the Mines Committee there are 12 Ministerialists, and only two Oppositionists; and in the Public Accounts Committee there ste 12 Mir.iste'iulists and two Oppositionists. Oaths other hand in the matter of committee which have to do purely routine work the Government see tba'i the bullr of the burden rests on the Opposition's 'shoulders. The Classification Committre, whose functions are purely mechanical, is an instance. As proposed it contains reven Oppositionists,, two* Independents, and only one Ministerialist. Such prominent aud nble members, as Messrs James Allen, Bollard. Herries, Lsthbridge, H'Guire, Wason, and Wright are on only one committee, ■while Mr Moor'e.isbunoneat all. Mr Flatmrtn,a staunch Ministerialist, on.the other hand; is on do fewer .than five committees. Some members of the Opposition claim that' both sides of a question should be represented on these committeßs, and sill are agreed that the Opposition should at least have representation io proportion to their nnmbsrs in the House— say, at all events, five members on a committee of IS. This'would still leave the Gavarnment a majority. .'We are likely to hear a good deal more on this subject. The Oppositiou cannot, of course, move that other names be added, but when the question comes up they can move that eeriain names be struck out with the object of inserting other names. They can move amendment After amendmtnt, and divide the House Bach time, .on- the. question, go that there is plenty of scope for,a very.emphatic protest.

JOTTINGS.

There is considerable comment on the fact lhat Mr Watd is only proposed on one of the committees to bo set up, and that an uuimportaet one—viz., the Joint; Coiamiltee on Bills. Toe Government haying admitted hij eligibility to act on one commitres, members tbink it is a "wonder he is not proposed on others.

At the Opposition canons to-day Mr STasaey wss appoiuted senior whip and Mr Lewis junior whip. Both men are likely to give a good *caount of-themselves. Mr Masssy is one of the beet whips the House has ever bad, and he is likely to be ably seconded by Mr Lewis. For some time p*sb the Opposition have been content; with only one whip, and the appointment of a BEcoud would warrant the belitf that they are now going to be somewhat ensrgetic.