STRENGTH OF PARTIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2232, 10 December 1896, Page 19

STRENGTH OF PARTIES.

GOVERNMENT ' „. 39 OPPOSITION ... ;«. 26 INDEPENDENT ... .„ ... 5 (From Our Own Correspondent;) ' Wellington, December 4. The Hon. Mr Seddon reckons on a majority of about 12. He is very pleased with the result. A WELLINGTON VIEW. SIR R. STOUT INTERVIEWED. (Feom Otrs Own Cobhespondent.) Wellington, December 6. The elections in Wellington on the whole pasted off in an orderly manner. The result of the City election was a great surprise, an was also the reaulfc of the poll for the Suburbs. Every second man you met the day before the election regarded Mr Hi&lop aa a certainty for this seat. Considering the fact, however, that Mr Hislop went into the electorate an entire stranger? and had all the Government influence against him, he did remarkably well. The defeat of Dr Newman for Obaki was not unlocked for, but it was a great surprise to find that Mr Pirani came so near to losing the Palnierston seat. A stronger candidate on the Opposition side would undoubtedly have , defeated him, and the chances are if he sticks to Mr Seddon that he will lose the seat . at the next election. Mr Cameron did remarkably well against Mr Hogg, and the latter cannot last many yean longer. With the experience he has gained at this election Mr Cameron is almost sure to beat him at the next general election. There is some talk of a petition to unseat Mr Wilford for the Suburbs, and if this is successful the seat would go to Mr Hislop. The Premier and his family have fought a tough fight. But for his wonderful energy, a.nd the popularity of himself and his daughters, things would have gone harder with him about Wellington. I regard his wins in Wellington, the Suburbs, Otaki, and the stand made by Mr Hornsby against Mr Buohanan as in a large measure due to the part played by Mr Seddon and his two daughters in Wellington. They bad always in the heat of the contest a cheery word for friend and foB alike, and this no doubt won them many votes. Indeed, without Mr Seddon the present Government would have been utterly routed in the present election. He is the one political figurehead who has dominated the political arena, and his energy, ability, and marvellous physical endurance stood him in good stead. He has, however, a very difficult task before him, and with such a powerful and able combination on the Opposition benohei his bed will be anything but a bed of ro-es. Such men as Me»Brs Scobie Mackenzie, Fish, Itolleston, .Tomes Allen, Buchanan, G. Hutchison, Moore, Richardson, Russell, and Stout will give the Premier a warm time, and will rake his weak Ministerial following fore and aft in the battle of debate. ' It would have been a good thing for Mr Seddon if be could have got rid of at all events two of his present Ministers, who are anything but a source of strength. As it it, he will probably have to take Mr Ward once more into his Cabinet. From the returns to hand I make the strength of parties as follows :— Government, 38.— Messrs E. 6. Alien, Cadman, Carncross, Carroll, Duncan, Flatman, Field, Fisher, Gilfedder, Graham, Guinness, Hall-Jones, Hogg, Holland, Houston, J. Hutcheßon, Joyce, Lamach, Lawry, M'Gowan, J. M'Kenzie, B. M'Kenzie, Meredith, Millar, Mills, Montgomery, Morihon, O'Meara, O'Regan, O'Horke, Seddon, Stevens, Steward, Synie, Tanner, T. Thompson, Ward, Wilford. Opposition, 27. — Messrs J. Allen, Bollard, Brown, Buchanan, Carson, Crowther, Fisb, Fraser, Herries, Hunter, G. Hutchison, Lang, Lethbridge, Lewis, Massey, M'LeaD, Moore, M'Guire. S. Mackenzie, Monk, llichardson, Rolkston, Russell, Stout, J. W. Thomson, Wason, Wright. Independent, s.— Messrs J. W. Kelly, Pirani, G. J. Smith, R. Thompson, T. E. Taylor. Shortly after the final returns came to hand I called upon Sir Robert Stout with a view to ascertaining his ideas on the altered condition! of parties and his views generally on the election. Sir Robert said there " was no doubt, from the returns to hand, that the Government had a majority; that the country had, by a small majority, -approved of the political misdeeds of the present Government and sanctioned both corruption and continued borrowing, the result of which would, in the immediate future, mean increased taxation. There could be no doubt, however, that 'the ability, of the House was ranked on the Opposition side, and that the Government would bo exceedingly weak in debating power before an intelligent audience. Another matter that was rather suggestive in connection' with the election was that the 'dumb dogs 'h*d been almost wiped out. It was true there were a few left, and no doubb, to use, a football phrase, they would continue to * barrack 'as they were, told in the new Parliament. In regard to a question as to the personnel of the new House. Sir Robert Stout said it was exceedingly to, pa regretted that some members had beenlef b out. He also ~ pointed out that the labour members had been bard hit, Messrs Tanner, Millar, Morrison, and Hutchesoa being the only members of that olaes returned, Messrs Buick and Burnshaw had

lost .their seats, and it showed that the workers were nob very grateful for the strenuous advocacy'^of tHeir .cause when they had thrown over Mr Earnshaw. As one who sat beside bim in the House for four years, ' Sir Robert eaid he was in a better position to appreciate his ability than those who only heard him, or casually met him, and he ventured to Bay that no labour member in the House had half his ability or political knowledge. There was no member who had a more single ejo to the success of labour measures, that would be really beneficial to the workers of the colony than Mr Earnshaw. He took a great deal of care in regard to measures that were passing through the House, acquainted himself generally regarding political matters, and was always in his place. The only other labour member who paid attention to his duties, was always iv his place, and tried to make himself acquainted with what was pasiing in the Hduse was Mr Morrison. "As for Mr Mihar," added Sir Robert, "I can speak now freely, as the election is over. H« paid little attention to any but one or two measures, whHa Mr Pinkerton, though he was generally in the House, eeemed afraid to express his opinion on anything." Iv answer to obher questions, Sir Robert eaid there were 6'her members whom he was sorry to see out of the House, though he did nob agree with them in politics — as, for instance, Mr G. W. Russell, who was a man of very considerable ability 'and one who took an intense interest in the work. The House had also losb much through the con-election of Messrs Button, Mitchelson, and Dr Newman. As to Mr M 'Nab, he had hopes that that gentleman would have been of great eervice to Parliament, but during the last session he did not assert himself, and it seemed as if he were a ' man haunted ■ by ' some ghost of _ a pledge. As to the Government following there ' were amongst them a few men of independent mind who would no doubt decline to be dragged behind the Seddon chariot to sanction corruption. He instanced such men as Messrs Montgomery, Field, and O'Regan. There was another thing he thought the Government would find — viz., that they would not he able to abolish - tbe Standing Orders, as they had done during the last two sessions. In tbe last Parliament, also, the Speaker had permitted the Government to set aside the order of business whenever they pleased. With an Opposition' such as had been elected, he did not think the House would allow the Ministry to do as they pleased, and be did not think the five Independents would eanction the autocracy of the Premier.

I mentioned that the Premier claimed Messrs Smith and Taylor on his aide. — "This will surprise me very much," replied Sir Robert, " though it is true there have been unholy alliances during this election For instance, the Premier has taken to his bosom one who had denounced his . Government as diflhenest, and one who had casb slurs on the Ballance Administration as well." He referred to Mr Fisher. Ib would, however, be a wheel-round in. politics for Mr Thomas Taylor to be found on the side of Mr Seddon. However, it was perfectly true that Mr Seddon dnriDg the last Parliament had got weak-kneed prohibitionists to support him. Whether in the face of the alliance in Wellington between the liquor ring and Mr Beddon prohibitionist? would be foolish enough \o think Mr Seddon' still favoured any temperwee legislation would remain to be seen. He for one declined to believe that Mr Smith »r Mr Taylor would surrender their consciences into Mr Seddon'a keeping. In^answer to a question as to the revolt against the Government Sir Robert said there was no doubt there had. been a great revolt. At the elections in 1893 the Government claimed, with three Independents who had leanings towards then?, cc o-ift of the 74 members returned. This -u.e they could nob claim more than 40, assuming that the Maori members would be equally divided, so that this meant a drop of at least 12 or 15 .supporters. There was no doubt that in Canterbury the revolt had been most pronounced. This would be eeen when it was .recognised that the Ministerial paper in Christchurch only got in one of the candidates it supported— viz., Mr Smith, an Independent. At Riccarton, Selwyn, and Ashburton also the voting bad gone against them, while there had been some changes in Auokland. ■ In the (Wellington and Taranaki country districts the Opposition had gained.' "I may add," said Sir .Robert Stout, " that several seats have been lost to the Opposition through more than one Opposition candidate going to the poll. Shis bas been the case in Manawatu, Pahiatua, Wallace, Waikouaiti. Bgmont, and Wellington." '< Asked for his opinion about the licensing vote, Sir Robert said his prediction had proved correct. He had stated all along that he did inofc think they were within measurable distance of prohibition. One cause of the succsis of the Seddonites and the Liquor party was theirotgßnisation, and it was to him * very sad flight to see in Wellington ladies who were supEsed to be, and who were, philanthropic ming out and actively canvassing for the ntinuatlon of licenses.- Another thing that struck > him as moib remarkable was the part taken in the election by the wives of oivll sat* yants, who bad no sure position. Even the ipharwomen in ths Government Buildings had Issued dodgers on behalf of Seddopism, -under penalty of losing their Dositions, That was an actual faot. ...

• What about taking the voting for local option on the tame day as the polling for ths general election ? •

••Well," replied S.ir Robert, "I always advocated this, though I must Bay that so far »& Wellington is concerned the corruption ib haß led to shows that the thing cannot be continued if we are to have pure elections. The scrutineers appointed in the booth* had been appointed purely in the interests of liquor. I nominated no scrutineers and I believe Mr Atkinson nominated. only three. or four. The cabs that were used were employed by the Liquor party in favour of their and Mr Seddon's nominees — Messrs Fisher, Hutchcson, and Wilson. The Corrupt Practices Act was practically set at naught, and yet I do not know that it could be^ said that the candidates or their committees violated it. Of course the liceused victuallers iis id their efforts in this direction had nothing to do with the candidates, and that the cabs were used for the local option polling. If we v are to have pure elections in the future the local option vote must be taken on the same day as the' electron of the licensing committees. A« to the labour vote, a great number of the working men supported the Opposition ; in fact, so!far as. I could learn in Wellington, most of the intelligent mechanics were in favour of the Opposition, though no doubt a great number, out of loyalty to their class, voted for Mr Hatchesoa ; but Ido not think a majority did for either Mr Wihon or Mr Fisher. It was only. to be expeoted, in connection with aGoverement so unscrupulous as the present one, with enormous sums of money to ■expend, that there would be a large number of hangers-on., in the capital. . ready to support them.. Hundreds of these were simply working for billets for themselves or thdr relatives. I could name several such who were expecting billets., and some I saw actively canvassing for the Government."

My , concluding question to Sir Robert was what he thought ot the. new Opposition. "Astdthe Opposition," he replied, "lam opposed to the Government, though I have not been a member of what is termed the Opposition. The attitude I have taken up I intend to continue. I, however, believe that the Opposition will merit the thanks of the country. They are far stronger in both ability and debating power than those who^are supporting the Government — in tacb I know no debater of any power on the Government side. Mr .Montgomery can hardly be called on the Government side, though he is a Government supporter. He no doubt will find himself in strange company.- The Opposition is composed of men of strong character, and a firmer, more determined, compact, ttnd able Opposition bas not been seen in the House during the past 10 or 15 years."