WELLINGTON.

Dunstan Times, Issue 741, 30 June 1876, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(From the Daily Times.) The ceremony of opening Parliament was quiet enough. The interest being spread over two days—some came one day and some another— so that on neither day was the attendance of spectators quite as large as is usual at the opening of Parliament. The ceremony of electing the Speakers and swearing in of the members took some time, and the chief interest attaching to the latter part of the proceedings was the anxious speculations as to whether the Taupo, with Sir George Grey and the Northern members, would arrive in time before the Chief Justice left the House. They just managed to do so, and were accordingly able to take part in the election of Speaker. It was rather amusing to hear the two knights, Sir Julius and Sir George, so cordially concurring in buttering up Mr Fitzherbert, but of the two, Sir George, perhaps, did it most gracefully. Mr Fitzherbert himself looked modestly unconscious. He wears the gown and bands, but has refused the ruffles which Sir Dillon Bell was so fond of wearing. Mr Fitzherbert gives great promise of making an excellent Speaker. He has had two or three rulings to give already, and has given them concisely and firmly. On the motion for adjournment on Friday night, when the Piako debate was re-opened, Mr Moorhouse tried to check it by asking whether it was irregular to debate the main question under guise of a motion for adjournment. The Speaker turned the laugh on him by observing very dryly “ Great latitude is V-ad lowed on motions for adjournment.” The _ way he said it was irresistible, so also when called upon to give a casting vote on Sir George Grey’s motion, he did so without hesitation, assigning the usual reason for it. In fact, he seems thoroughly at home in the chair. Sir George Grey was very moderate in his words in asking for the suspension of standing orders and in moving his Piako Swamp motion. It was his moderation which assured his success. He simply asked that time should be given to discuss the question before further action was taken, and the request seemed so reasonable to young members that they wondered at the Government resenting it. Doing so seemed to them indicative of a desire to stifle enquiry, and they theugh there must be something wrong. Hence the result. The debate became a very acrimonious one after Major Atkinson’s injudicious and defiant speech. In fact, the Government had only themselves to blame for what occurred, and their bad management deserved punishment. They did not take it kindly, however, and were thoroughly in earnest in their intention to resign. On Saturday they were busy in getting their departments in order, and it was only late on Sunday evening, after several caucuses had been held that they consented to re-consider their intention and remain in office, on being assured of the absolute support of a good working majority of the House. This they have received, and now they will go on. A long and bitter debate may be expected, and in all probab’lity it will last the week out. Sir George Grey and his followers are determined to have this Piako Swamp affair thoroughly out, and then it is said they have several others of a like class to bring forward. I have myself seen telegrams from officials in Auckland, which fully bear out his statements that since last year the extent of land included in Messrs Russell and Whitaker’s purchase has been largely increased ; but on the other hand, the Government gives the statement an unqualified denial, and Mr Whitaker told the meeting that so far from getting more than had originally been agreed, on, they had got less. However, the truth will probably be got out shortly.

The number of new faces in the House is very large. Glancing round the benches, it strikes every one familiar with the old House. Fourteen of the new members spoke 'on Friday night, and most of them very well too, I think that in debating power the new House will undoubtedly surpass the old one. The Government now numbers its pledged supporters at from 50 to 52, but this is a majority not likely to last. A great many of their supporters think that the best and most dignified course would have been for them to go out, and that had they done so, they would certainly have come in again very soon, and been stronger than ever. Some of those who were most earnest in their endeavors to prevent Ministers from resigning are those least to be trusted as supporters, ft was noticeable in the second division on Friday night, that Mr Wakefield and some others of the personal adherents of Mr Stafford, walked out of the Rouse. It is no secret that Mr Stevens, Mr Wakefield, and others, love not the present Ministers, and are anxious to form an independent third party, under the leadership of Mr Stafford ; but professing "very much tho same policy as the present Government. The time is not yet ripe for this, and had the Ministry gone out now, tho scheme would have been nipped in the bud. Henco the anxiety to keep Ministers in. They will be used for a purpose, and when that is served be deserted, if there is anything to be gained by it. The proposal made at tho first Government caucus by Mr Stevens, that the Government should bring down a bill to at once bring tho Abolition Act into force, was significant; but the cat would not consent to pull the chestnuts out of tho fire. The Government have a difficult task before them, with a watchful and better Opposition, such as they undoubtedly have, and a number of friends of doubtful sincerity. For my own part, I should not bo at all surprised to see more than one crisis before the session is over. The Provincial party has no chance whatever ; but I doubt whether the Ministry, ns at present constituted, can steer clear of tho danger by which it is surrounded. Certainly one or two cases of generalship, like that of Friday evening, will utterly ruin it.