BOUNCING A MINISTER.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIII, Issue 15000, 22 February 1899, Page 2

BOUNCING A MINISTER.

Very few of the Government following among the members of the House of Representatives would dare to bounce Mr. Seddon, but here and there one makes up for the control he feels called upon to exercise in the presence of his chief by letting out upon his weaker colleagues when they show' any signs of having a, will of their own in opposition to that of their supporters. We' have had occasion to point out at different tunes the weakness of the Minister for Defence and Justice, and the uselessness of appealing to him about anything, seeing that he dare not give a decided answer' about any question of importance without first consulting the Premier. We notice that he has actually had the courage lately to point blank refuse a request made to him by the member for Wellington Suburbs, Mr. Charles Wilson, who introduced to him a deputation of Wellington citizens, wuo asked that a road should be continued! round the Point Halswell fortifications. Jlr. Wilson evidently thought he had a | very easy contract on hand. He knew that Mr. Thompson was very deficient hi backbone, and argued to himself that he would succumb to a powerful deputation, especially when he (Mr. Wilson), backed by his intluence as a journalist and a member of the House, was the spokesman. To, Mr. Wilson's astonishment, the weak-kneed Minister for once asserted himself. He | declined the request. It is true he sheltered himself behind Colonel Pole I'enton. What he said was that the military adviser of the Government condemned the pro- j posal, and the work would not be done. Whereupon Mr. Wilson arose in his wrath, nud told the Liberal Minister what the

Liberal member for AVellington Suburbsthought about the muttftv. The scene

must have, been very impressive. The tall Minister must have felt as small as the little member felt big while Mr. Wilson was "on the job." According lo the Wellington correspondent of the Lyttelton Times, a journal warmly favourable to Mm

isters, this is what the member said : — " I tell you it is going to be done. The militar-- adviser must learn that the people govern this colony, and not he, and his red-tape obstinacy will not be tolerated." The Minister stood his ground, but meekly submitted to the; threatening language used by his interviewer. He merely said that

the work would not be done. This quiot answer irritated the member for the .Suburbs beyond measure, and he burst out — "I tell you it is going to be done. Wait till next session, and I will make you do it whether you like it or not." The report says that, after further interchanges, the deputation withdrew. Now, if Mr. Wilson had attempted to* talk to Mr. Seddon as he talked to Mr. Thompson, the Premier would have run him out of the room. But the little member knew he had fiab-

bier material to deal with than the head of the Government. If the Suburbs member keeps to his promise as to what he i« going to make the Minister for Defence do next session, members will be treated to a little amusement. Neither the Minister nor the member is a favourite in. the House, and so they will probably be allowed every opportunity to haye it out with one an- , other.