PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5141, 9 July 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By Telegraph.] (fbom oub own cobbeßpondent.)

i Wellington, This day.

It was currently reported last night, on what appeared to be good authority, that a member of the Ministry is about to commence legal proceedings against the proprietors of a Wellington journal in consequence of certain paragraphs that have been published conreying grave reflections on the conduct of the Minister in question in his official capacity, and imputing to him certain acts of a very questionable character. One. or the pro* prietors ii a member of Parliament.

The House last night was a scene of ni!d confusion during the discussion on the Tariff proposals. Sir Julias Vogel in his speech made an earnest appeal to the House not to refuse to the Govern-* mept this revenue which they asked for* believing k to be indispensably necessary for carrying-on the business ot the country. It seemed at once, however, that the House had decided what course to take. As I informed you yesterday would be the case, the Freetrade party voted in_a block against every proposed increase in the Customs duties. The first items on the list were not deemed altogether objectionable: the increased duties on wines and spirits were carried by a large majority, but the next item struck a wholly different key-note; the proposed augmentation by 50 per cent, of the duty on tea had excited vivid dissatisfaction throughout the House, and the item " tea, 6d perlb," was no sooner called up by the I Chairman tban the Committee seemed to rise ap as in a body, and fell upon it with tooth and nail. Various suggestions for a compromise were thrown out in different, quarters, and at last the Treasurer himself voluntarily offered to forego half the proposed increase if the House would only grant that, and he took occasion to appeal most earnestly for this revenue not to be withheld Major Steward, however, who was in the chair, altogether ignored the, Treasurer's suggestions, although it wasi^ moved as an amendment, but proceeded to put the former amendment, which was carried, and the duty on tea therefore remains at 4d, as under the Tariff of 1882. Then the Committee ran riot; item after item was struck out either on the voices or a division by a large majority. During the many discussions on the various itemi, there was a good deal of warmthof temper exhibited,' and a sort of triangular duel between Messrs Turnbull (Mount Ida), Mackenzie, and Dick Seddon was kept up all through the evening. Sir Geo. Grey and Messrs Stout and Barron chirp* ping in to keep the disputants warm. It was noticeable - that during the whole evening not a single member of the Atkinson party spoke a word. As the supper hour approached, mem-< bers began to awaken to the situation into which the House had drifted. On resuming after supper, a cry was at once raised that progress should be reported, in order that the Government might have an opportunity of considering the position, and after a discussion of some little acerbity lasting over an hour, this was agreed to. The situation is now considered to be exceedingly critical, and there seems only one of two things for the . Government to do—either to,,withdraw their tariff proposals as a whole, for they must see now that the House will have none of them ; or dissolve Parliament and go to the country. Of course resignation is open to the Government, but I appre* hend that they will not resign whilst there is a chance of a dissolution.

A meeting of Government supporters, convened by Mr J. S. McKenzie, \* as held this morning, at which about forty mem* bers were preset)t. No members of the Government attended, nor either of the Government whips. A number of mem. bera known to be Government supporters were absent on committees. After considerable discussion, a deputation, consist* ing of Messrs McKenzie, Steward, Harper, Dargaville, and Holmes was appointed to wait on Government at noon to-day with a request from the party that Government should withdraw the-Tariff proposals altogether this year, and also that the local government proposals should be modified in the direction of abandoning ~ the borrowing proposals, and also limiting subsidies to local bodies to five years, instead of 25 years. The deputation is instructed to offer these terms, and to say that if not accepted, the party can no longer support Government, and will ex? pect them to resign. The deputation is now with Government in Cabinet at Sir J. Vogel's residence, and will report to an '"' adjourned meeting of the party to be held at 2 o'clock.

The situation is now exceedingly critical, and opinions differ as to what may happen. Whilst most people are-of opinion that the Government would gladly seek a pretext for dissolving Parliament, it is felt that there is no question to go to the country upon. Many think that the resignation of the Government may bo looked for this afternoon. r J

Latee. Probable Resignation of Government.

Just as I despatch this telegram, I am informed on the best possible authority that the Government will resign this afternoon. -

The Latest.

A deputation has just returned from the meeting of Ministers. The Government have replied to the representations of the deputation that upon the House meeting at 2 30 o'clock an adjournment of the House will be moved, in order that a conference may be held this afternoon of the Cabinet and Government supporters, when the whole situation will be discussed. The House will meet again at 7.30, when it is probable the Governpent will make a Ministerial statement of its intentions.