POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 308, 30 June 1898, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(BY TELEGRAM! - SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT) Wellington, Last Night. MR WARD'S DEFENCE.

The spirited defence of the Seddon Govcrnment made last night l>y the Hon. J. G. Ward lias revived the old story that the Premier intends to take Mr Ward hack into the Cabinet. It is no secret that Mr >'eddon would do so tomorrow, if he dare. Many members on both sides of the House sincerely wish that the ox-treasurer would rejoin the fold, and in order to show the opinion which Government supporters entertain of the matter, I may state that one of them significantly remarked to me, " That would settle their hash anyway." It is well-known also that the latest addition to the House (Mr McNab) has pledged himself to oppose M r Ward rejoining the Cabinet during this Parliament, and several other Ministerialists are said to be in the same position. ANGLO-GERMAN SYNDICATE.

There is trouble looming ahead over the Premier's connection with the syndicate business. I hear it is likely to come up again in such a shape that the voting on it will be extremely close. Some of the Government supporters are absolutely pledged to vote against Ministers on this question, and it will depend on the number of those malcontents whether or not the Premier will make it one of no-confidence in the Government. THE EXPENSIVE LUXURY.

The member for the Bay of Plenty (Mr Herries) made a vigorous little speech this afternoon on the Address-in-Reply. He said the Premier had taunted the Leader of the Opposition with being guilty of a great indiscretion in moving his amendment, but the people of his (Mr Herries') part of the country would have considered Capt. Russell guilty of a great indiscretion indeed if he had not protested against the extravagant expenditure of £50,000 on the Parliamentary buildings at a time when the struggling country settlers could not obtain roads to their lands and had in many places to wade up to their knees in mud in order to get to their sections. Mr Herries further told the House that a groat many good country settlers imagined that members of Parliament during the session played biliiards and indulged in all norts of luxuries, whilst the bona fide settlers of the country could not obtain either roads or bridges to enable them to get to their holdings. AN ELECTIVE EXECUTIVE. Major Stewart informed me that the divisio-i on his Elective Executive Bill is likely to be closer than lash year ; but he doe 3 not expect to carry it. He considers, however, that the country is gradually becoming more favourable to the executive being elective by the House, instead of the Premier of a Ministry choosing his colleagues us at present. A WOBBLING SPEECH. Mr John Hutcheson's remarks on the Address-in-Reply to-day were on the whole strongly against the Government policy ; but he qualified them by declaring he should support Ministers against Captain Russell's amendment. He said he should do so because he considered the Ministerial programme was a seductive one in the interests of the workers, whom he represents ; and he also regards the co-operative principle as fair and economic. He stated emphatically, however, that the Piemier had distinctly promised last session that the whole question of the appointment of Parliamentary officers would be submitted to the House this year, and he considered that after Mr Seddon's reply to Capt. Russell yesterday on this head that he (the Premier) could get out of anything. Mr Hutcheson also strougly condemned the Government for their treatment- of the Civil Service, and he warmly declared that he should vote for any party which would effect reform in our public service, as he considers it is badly wanted. He said he did not kuow what the Premier thought of him personally, but no doubt he (Mr Seddon) considered he wa& a disappointment. He (Mr Hutcheson) was, however, not an apostate. He thought the elective executive was never more wanted than now, and he hoped Major Steward would be surprised at the large amount of support his Bill, would receive.—Mr Geo. Fisher, another Wellington member, followed Mr Hutchison and severely attacked him for tho castigation he had bestowed on Ministers. He further accused Mr Hutcheson of being one of the principal causes which led to Mr John Duthie's election in March last and consequently to the defeat of the Seddon candidate, Mr Fisher being'at present a warm admirer of the greet Liberal party. EXPORT PRODUCE BILL. A Bill ia about to be introduced by the Government in which provision is made for the selection of stock and grading of carcases. The Government will also under the Bill take the right to aci as agents for the producer or consignor exporting stock, and will further take the right to make special contracts for freights if considered ueoessary in the interests of the producers.