WELLINGTON.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2714, 28 October 1871, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(from our own correspondent. )

Wellington, October 25. Great anxiety is being manifested on both sides of the House that the session should speedily close ; but as yet. owing to the attitude of the Opposition, little or nothing has been done towards that desirable consummation. Upon every possible opportunity member after member rises, and consequently the evening, which should see the completion of a measure is generally expended in the mere initiation. Mr Stafford’s policy apparently is to impede in every way the action of Government, and strangle as many of their measures as he can conveniently; he proposes nothing himself but is eminent in cavilling and destruction. The Brogden contracts are now the casus belli ; and although the Opposition deny strenuously that they are taking them up as a party question, or that they have in any way been parties to the outside agitation when the contract, however, came on for consideration last night, member after member of the party rose, piling objection upon objection, and going so far even as to express doubts as to the validity of the agreement itself, on the grounds that the Colonial Treasurer had exco ded his power. Mr Holies on insisted that tbe Attorney-General’s opinion upon the point should be laid before the House ; and was supported by Messrs Stafford and Gillies. Mr Fox said he should consider any resolution in this direction as a direct expression of want of confidence. The debate was finally adjourned. You will be amused on reading the papers to see that Mr T. L Sh'phcrd has assumed the leadership of the Opposition, and took upon himself or was “put up ” to reply to Mr Vogel, and to more a hostile amendment, He made one of his usual bouncible speeches, displaying great ignorance of his subject, and tending, I should very well imagine, to induce the very contrary result to what he intended. The opposition of Mr Ingles, a young ex-military swell, conduced not a little to the successful passage of the defence estimates through Committee; and the same office will in all probability be performed by the member for Dunstan by his absurd onslaught upon the Brogden contracts. Tfie matter will in probability be settled before you receive this 5 but I should strongly recommend, for the satisfaction or the country, that Mr Vogel's speech should be republished in full ; it so completely disposes of the bugbears of ing the labor marker,” “ruin of small contractors,” and the other bunkum, of the platform and the press. Tfie Otago Land Biil stands tp-day for pommittal. i cjq np,t tbink there is tbe least chance of its becoming law, and Mr Eeid and his friends begin tp see it- You will probably havp them back amongst you so soon as its fate is finally sealed. Trusting to Cqtten’s discretion ip t]reir absence must bo a sore trial of patience and of faith, The Insolvency Bill is just where it was, and there seems no chance of its coming on for consideration this week. To-night (Wednesday) is devoted to private business ; the sitting of to-morrow {will probably be exclusively occupied with the Brogden contracts ; Friday equally so, with a question raised by Mr Q’Rprkp, as tp the continuance of tbe system °f PrpyjnciaJ charges. After this week the Hpusp wjU pffibably sit upon Mondays apd Saturdays, commencing business also an houp earlier in the aftepnpou; these arrangements will, to some extent, expedite matter, but will be a very heavy tax upon the powers of endurance of honourable members.