THE MINISTERIAL POSITION

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6292, 17 July 1888, Page 4

THE MINISTERIAL POSITION

ATTITUDE OF THE OPPOSITION. ; UNCERTAIN PEOSPECTS. [Bt TblegbaphJ [fbououb bpeciaii coshsb^ondsnt.2 WELLINGTON, Jtjlt 16. The Premier is better, and ia expected to appear in the House to-morrow afternoon, where his presence will no doubt be welcomed by his party, which has not been making headway dating the last few days, Fox some reason or another matters have not been going well between the Ministerialists and their quondam allies, the Protectionists. The latter were supposed Bonxe ten days ago to be in a Btate of disintegration. It was plainly stated in a number of Ministerial papers that several of them had already followed Sir Fish's example, that others wonld soon do so, and that a general drift over to Sir Harry might be expected. Somehow or another the drift has not gone on. Mr Ward has explained that he was misunderstood in the matter. TWt Loughrey, who was classed, among the drif cers, has told me distinctly that he means to Btand or fall with the other Canterbury members, with whom he was elected, and with whom he has always acted. Mr Turabull stated in the House a fortnight or mote ago that he should sever himself from the Opposition and attend no more of their caucuses ; yet Mr Turnbull ha? undoubtedly attended at least two Opposition caucuses within the last week. So has Mr Lavestam, who was said to hare trodden in Mr Fish's footsteps. What the hardening up process has been, I know not; but that there has been some sort of hardening up seems pretty certain. The Opposition meets again in caucus to-morrow morning to dißcußß Mr Withy's resolution once more. On Wednesday Mr Seddon will return fresh from . his temporary sojourn in the bosom of his political family at Xumara. No doubt his presence will not be exactly a sedative, but the ttuth is tbat there is really no bond of union worth a rush between the Premier's immediate following and the other sections. The more vigorous of the Freetraders have discovered what they might have found out last year, namely, that they have very little in common with Sir Harry, and that there is no special reason why they should return to their allegiance; while there is one very special reason against it,— the bitter memory of the tariff. The. Protectionists cannot overlook the repeated protestations from Ministers that the Cabinet is in no sense a Protectionist Cabinet, and the tariff is not to be called a protective tariff; moreover, the old Oppositionists ask themselves whether, now that the tariff is out of the way, they ought to feel themselves called upon to support the details of policy bills which, may suit Sir John Hall and Mr Ormond, but which may not suit members calling themselves Liberals. To this you must add the lack of weight and personal influence in the House of the subordinate Ministers, and the undisguised hostility to the Cabinet of the Legislative Council. It is useless to pretend to ignore these influences, which are working to prevent the cohesion round Sir Harry of that strong party which he was expected to rally to his flag. I do not say that the Cabinet is in imminent danger. What I say is that the House is in such a condition that no sudden explosion would surprise me. ___^^_^^____

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