POLITICAL GOSSIP IN WELLINGTON.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 737, 18 May 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP IN WELLINGTON.

THE ECONOMICAL PARTY. If the session lastß much longer there will be one more party in the House. This should be called the " Economical Party," although some members think that the " Cheeae-parincf P«rty " would be a better term. ; Mr. Ormond has constituted himself the leader of this new section of the House. The Government Salaries and Expenses Bi'l, of which he has given notice, provides for the redaction of the Governor's salary and expenses from £7500 to £4000. It aho provides for a substantial reduction ia the salaries of Ministers. HONORARIUM BILL. The Honorarium Bill is another bantlins; of the member for Napier. The object of the measure is to reduce members from £210 to £100. This is to apply to both members and Councillors. Mr. Ormond's measures will, you may be sure, meet with a freezing reception from the Government supporters. GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS DISAPPOINTED. The system of discipline which seems to bo the rule with the Stout-Vogel Government is not approved by all their supporters. In the old days, it is true, there was an esprit de corps among parties in the House, which is unknown now. Before taking any particular line on the- offensive or <$c* ■ fensive,- the Governments of the past wer?) in the habit of calling their followers tp•gether and.consultirig with them.- This is. not thecaoe now. There has not been a Government caucus this session. All the plans are arranged between the whips and the leaders, and the rank and file are left in ignorance of the Government's intentions, until the time for voting arrives. The warm supporters of the Ministry .express considerable discontent at this state of affairs. They assert that it has a to sap the loyalty of those who acknowledge allegiance to the present occupants of the Treasury benches.