Political.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 6243, 16 June 1890, Page 2

Political.

{Otago Daily Times Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, June 13, AN EARLY ATTACK ON THE GOVERNMENT.

It is stated that an attack on the Government will be made directly Parliament.meets, and that Mr Ballance, as leader of the Opposition, will move a hostile amendment on the Address-in-Reply, or that if the speech does not afford a convenient point of attack a direct vote of want of confidence will be moved as soon as the reply is disposed of. Mr Ballance is stated to have been in communication with the members of the Opposition throughout the colony, and they intend to muster strongly at the beginning of the session to support the attack. Mr Fergus’ speech is thought to have placed powerful weapons in their hands which will be used unsparingly. The Post, commenting on this report, says : —“ Of course neither Mr Ballance nor his supporters expect any direct benefit from the ottack, even if it proves successful. No matter how badly they may be beaten the present occupants of office will cling to their portfolios as long as they possibly can, and will appeal from the House to the country, as by so doing they would ensure a few months’ more enjoyment of place and pay. Resignation would be the last thing they would think of, but a defeat upon any direct vote at the very commencement of the session would force their hand a good deal and greatly complicate the perplexities of their position. A defeat would render reconstruction of any kind impossible. Sir H. Atkinson could not retire without technically involving the resignation of the' Ministry as a whole, and if ho vacated the Premiership his Excellency the Governor would certainly be justified in calling upon any member of the Parliamentary minority to reconstruct. The constitutional course would be to send for the leader of the Opposition. It defeated therefore, ' the Ministry will have to ask Parliament for supplies, abandon all attempts at the transaction of other business this session, and dissolve as quickly as possible. This, wo presume, is the course which Mr Ballance wishes to force upon thorn.” If this plan is pursued by Mr Ballance it will necessarily prevent the delivery of tho Financial Statement at so early a period as was contemplated —in fact, it will upset arrangements generally, and may bring about now and unexpected complications.