The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1831.

Timaru Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 5194, 15 July 1891, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1831.

Although the Government have oome reason to be satisfied with the result of the financial debate, for it showed conclusively that at present they may depend on a substantial majority determined to maintain them m power for the session, their satisfaction must be mingled with not a little regret. Their followers are not unanimous m their approval of the various parts of the new policy. Some object to one feature and some to another, and the several disagreements point to more pronounced discord before long. The party now m power cannot depend upon a very lengthened tenure of their position, and there are certain signs that reaction is I already developing itself m the country. Of the Premier himself it may fairly be said that ke has not improved his standing m the estimation of the socalled Liberals; he has m fact lost ground, for though his speech at the close of the discussion was clever as a debating effort, it confirmed the already existing impression that his new finance had been rashly undertaken. Confident of success he of course professed himself to be — 'his estimates of revenue would prove to be more than realised — yet he admitted that there could be no certainty till after the new valuations, and his only defence of his proposal to tax improvements was that it was necessary to raise revenue. The debate of last week can scarcely merit the title of a financial debate. Though there were attempts at criticising tbe taxation proposals, a great parfc of tbe time was occupied m attacking the general administration of the Government m the severul Departments. In many respects the criticism was telling. Mr McKenzie was very roughly handled, and was damaged considerably. Mr Reeves also did not come well out of the fray. Mr Seddon talked without regard to time or the patience of his hearers, but he he _does not appear to have talked to much purpose. The Ministry have won their victory, and will remain m office till next, year, but they certainly have not added to their reputation as public men, and one section of their followers think that their policy goes too far and another section that it does not go nearly far enough. Still, they will vote straight on any crucial issue, and that of course is for a Premier to be thankful for. He may also be thankful for the opportunity which the debate afforded him of mending his hand. He has picked up information m all directions, both m the House and out of doors, and the policy when embodied m the Bills will differ materially from the policy as originally announced. Mr Ballance will do his best to plense all sections of. his followers, though perhaps it is patting tho case a little too strongly to say, with a Wellington paper, that he will take back his policy, hand a report of the debate to the draftsman, and tell him to boil it down, and frame a policy out of the residuum. In some quarters it has been predicted that the tasutiou Bills will not make their appearance at all this session, or that no i-ffort will be mode to carry them. But as far ns we can see there ia absolutely nothing to support such an opinion as that, and, on the other hand, there is a distinct and quite recent statement by the Premier that the drafting of the Bills is beiog proceeded with, and that tbe Government intend that they shall be passed.