POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 329, 25 July 1889, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

THE LATEST FROM THE HOUSE. [FBOM OUB OWN OOBRBSFONDBNT.j Wellington, last night. Although several town members who formerly supported the Government have expressed their preparedness to vote for a no-confidence motion, few have formally signified their severance of allegiance. Mr Fish wrote to the Premier last night, intimating that while prepared to support most of their measures he would be compelled, in consequence of their attitude over the Bill question, to vote against them if a direct issue were tabled. Mr Withy personally informed the Premier he must go into active opposition, as he objected to being knocked from pillar to post; while Mr Goldie made a somewhat similar statement to the ministerial whips. Mr Allen has communicated his decision to the Cabinet, in writing. He says that his allegiance was shaken last session when they pressed on the House their Protectionist policy, and it has been made no firmer by the disclosures in this year’s estimates, whioh to his mind show the beginning of a return to extravagance, but this representation Bill, in the face of the measure they passed in 1887, reducing the number of members without increasing the quota, is to his mind a departure from their polioy, and he cannot follow them into the lobbies. Hence they must not count on him as a Government supporter. Mr J, Thompson, another staunch ministerialist, will in future be a free lance, Mr Barron has also completely broken away from the Government and would support a no-confidence motion. Until some time after midnight the debate had not been distinguished by particularly long speeches, but towards two o'clock a distinct declaration of war took place bstwsen the Government and ths opponents of tbe

BUI. Mr Fish made one last appeal to the Premier to agree to adjournment of debate, when Major Steward informed Mr Hamlin, who had taken the Chair, that the Hansard reporters would ba unable to take notes of a long debate and be fit to resum i duty next Mr Fish aaked whether, under the altered circumstances, the Premier would agree to adjourn. Sir H. Atkinson replied that the proceedings on the Imprest Supply Bill showed how he had been misled by town members. If it would be in order he would move that ths Hansard reporters be allo wed to leave, but 1 not the reporters would have to go on until they oould write no longer. Mr Ballance also appealed to the Premier, suggesting that an adjournment should be granted on condition that there should be no stonewalling, but the Premier said an understanding had been deliberately taken already, Dr Fitchett said there had been an intention deliberately to delay the Bill, but his own object had been simply to put it off till the evening, and bs asked that the whole party should not be punished on his account. Mr MacArthur moved that strangers be cleared out of the galleries, which had to be out without debate (a hot protest from Mr Fish being interrupted) and It was carried by 34 to 19. Mr Fish continued by speaking till 3 20, when Mr Barrons amendment was lost by 34 to 12, and the second reading carried by 83 to 12. The Premier proposed to commit the Bilf on next sitting day, Mr Fish suggested that the BU be committed at once, as a fitting commentary on what had just taken place. On a division the Premier's motion was carried by 32 to 12. The House adjourned till 7.30 this evening,