THE POLITICAL SITUATION

Otago Witness, Issue 2677, 5 July 1905, Page 34

THE POLITICAL SITUATION

A FOURTH PARTY FORMING.

UNION OF COUNTRY MEMBERS.

("Fsosi Our Own CgrPwEspondent.)

WELLINGTON, July 3

Developments this session are following one upon the other in rapid succession. Yesterday I sent you sorae particulars of the strength and objects of the new Reform or Third party, -which a;.ive ouch forcible evidence of its -vitality on Friday night. "Following closely in the wake of this remarkable demonstration of activity on the .part of Air Taylor's section comes the announcement of a counter-move in the formation of yet another party. This is a country party composed of country members on the Ministerial side of the House. Signs of such a combination have net been wasting for some time past, and the expediency of a consolidation of forces has now been determined upon as -a Tesult of the forward move mado by the Taylor party. This Fourth party is as yet in a nebulous state, but its formation has been practically decided upon, and it is proposed to take up a strong stand in the- defence of country interests during the session. Mr Rutherford, the member for Hurunui, is the high priest of the new movement, and already he is understood to have associated with him such firm Government supporters as Messrs R. M'Kenzie, Colvin, Houston, Je-nnings, Major, Symes, and Bennet. These members are all claimed as dead certainties. There are also -some four or five others who a.re expected to give the party their " moral support," but who do not care about avowing their allegiance just now owing to the fact that their constituencies include small towns.

OBJECTS OF THE PARTY.

Something of the aims of the party was learned in the course of a chat which I had with one of its members this evening. Asked whether the formation of the party had been brought about, as stated, in consequence of the strong aggressive attitude taken up by the Taylor party he admitted that such was the case- The Fourth party he considered, was necessary for defensive purposes in the interests of the country settlers. "The Government has," he said, " gone quite far enough already with its Labour legislation, which has of late years been altogether in the interests of the city people. Now we are -threatened with a further danger from these Left Wing extremists, and if they continue as they have started we shall probably find Mr >Seddoa trying to placate them by offering to take one or two of their ntimber — say Messrs Bedford and Laurenson— into the Ministry. We have, therefore, as country members, decided to unite for our own protection."

"What numerical strength do you count upon? " Well we have already got eight, and we think we can get 12. Some think we can g>et more, but I place it at 12."

" I notice that the -eight members are all Government supporters? "

"Yes," was the reply, "we r»eed not trouble about the Opposition, as we can i-ely on them voting with "us. They hare 24 members, and our 12 will make 36. Then on most masters we can probably count on say five of the Left Wingers also voting against the Government-. This makes a total of 41, which would just give us a majority."

What are the principal aims of the party? "We have not," the member replied, "formulated any platform. We propose to discuss every measure affecting the country interest on its merits, and if it does not satisfy us we will go to the Government and say, ' This must not go in,' or ' That must go in, and if you do not give us what we want the Opposition will.' "