The Wanganui Chronicle. "Nulla Dies Sins Linea." FRIDAY, JULY 8th, 1905. THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12546, 8 July 1905, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. "Nulla Dies Sins Linea." FRIDAY, JULY Bth, 1905. THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

lit there is any significance in the multiplication of political parties, then certainly we are approaching a crisis in tho political history of New Zealand. In the House of Representatives on Friday night last tha new reform, or third party, made its first assault upon the Ministry, and through its leader declared <fchat for the remainder of the session all its fighting would be done with, the gloves off. That remarkable demonstration of activity on the part of Mr Taylor's section 'has been followed by the announcement of a counter move in the formation, of yet another party. This, according to the Wellington correspondent of the N.Z. Herald, is a country party, composed of country members on the Ministerial side of the House. Signs of such a combination hare not been wanting foa% some time past, and the expediency of a consolidation of forces has now been determined upon as a pssult of the foa-watrd move made by the Taylor party. This fourth party is yet. in a nebulous state, but its formation has been practically decided upon, and it. is proposed to take up a strong stand in the defence of country interests during the session! Mr Rutherford, the member for Hurunui, is the leader of the new movement; and already he is understood to 'hare associated with him such firm Government supporters as Messrs. R. McKenzie, Colvin, Houston, JenningvS. Major, Symes and Bennett. These jnembers are claimed as "dead certainties." There are also some four or five others who are expected to give the party their "moral support," but who do not care about avowing their allegiance just mow, owing to the fact that their constituencies include small towns. Something of the aims of the psvrty were learned" in the course of a chat which the correspondent had with | one of its members. Asked whether formation of the party had been brought about as stated in consequence of the strong aggressive attitude taken up by tho Taylor party, he admitted that such was the case. The fourth party, he considered, was necessary for defensive purposes in the interests of the country settlers. "The Government has," he said, '"'gone quite far enough already with their labour legislation, which has of late years been altogether in the interests of the city people. Now we are threatened with-a further danger from these 'left -wing' extremists, and if they continue as they have started we shall probably find Mr. Seddon trying to placate th>m by offering to take one. or two of their number, say, Messrs. Bedford and Laurenson. into the Ministry, "We have, therefore, as meih'bers, decided to unite for our own protection." As to the numerical strength of the party, the correspondent was informed that eight members have already been enrolled, and a total of twelve, if net more, is confidently expected. The eight members are* all-Government supporters, but it is obvious that th©-ob-ject of their iorgamsation is antagonistic to tthe party to which they belong. Their votes will go with the Opposition, ias is evidenced by the statement made to the N.Z. Herald's correspondent— "We need not trouble about the Opposition, as we can reply on them roting with us. They have 24 members, amd out 12 will mak«**-86. Then, on

most matters, to can probably count on, say, five of the 'Mb wingers,' also voting against the Government. This makes a total of 41, which would just give us a majority. We have nob foi'- J/L mulated any platform. We propose to • cusses every measure affecting country interests on its merits, and if it does not satisfy us we will go to the Govern^ mc-nt and say this must not go in, or this must go in, and if you do not give us what wo want the Opposition will." Clearly there is a troublesome time in store for the Premier. Not only is he confronted by a stronger and more vigorous Opposition, witli a fighting chief at its head, but his flanks a/re threatened by the new parties, his own onoe invincible majority is weakened by division and discontent and the ■ constituencies upon which, he must fall back for support acre already beginning to call for a new leader whose name is Massey.