TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1883. The Opposition.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 10, 3 July 1883, Page 2

TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1883. The Opposition.

» The question as to who is the real leaner of the Opposition in the House is still an open one, and conse "juently a cause of perplexity to those who are opposed to rhe present Ministry. Mr Mojstgomkry poses as the nominal leader of the party, while Sir Gkorge Ghi y calmly assumes the actual leadership, ignoring the claims of the other in a manner peculiar to himsell. ile i.s also f«>nd of what may he called soups de theatre and exhibited a notable one when he »aye a notice of motion on Thursday last to the effect that a Mim of money should be placed on the estimates for the construction of the West Coast Railway, Middle Island. As the Hoyal Commission, whose re port had been placed on the table but a few hours before, utterly condemned the formation of this railway, the motives of the hon, gentleman were inexplicable for a little time, but when it was remembered that certain Canterbury members who supported the Government would be placed in a most awkward position, the reason ot the motion was not far to seek. If the question was made a Ministerial one, and the Government was ousted, the Canterbury members would be worse off than ever, should Sir George Grey come into power. If they voted against the motion they would bitterly offend a large Bection of the Canterbury puhlic whose minds are set upon having this costly line opened in the face of the condemnation of every commission that has reported on it. To that section of the Opposition under the immediate control — or, to use a better word, to suit the circumstnnces of the case — following of Mr Montgomery, the motion was a surprise indeed- It appears that this was to be the "threat and burning question" that was to upset the Government and absolutely defeat them. Ihe various influences brought to bear on the Otago and Auckland members to secure their support, were deemed to be irresistible. Auckland was to have the Great Northern Central Line in any direction or by any route she pleased, while Otago w^ to be served in the same way, but with another West Coast Line added, as an inducement to vote "crooked.'* The question of money for these works and the schedule of public works attached to the Bills authorising- the raising of loans last session, were altogether ignored as being entirely of secondary consideration. But " the best laid schemes o' nuice and men, »ang aft a-gley," ana Sir George Grky gave Mr Montgomery a very unkindly reminder of this homely saying of the immortal Burns, when he adopted for himself the pet scheme of his supposed coadjutors. One would think that Sir George finds a boyish pleasure in frustrating the schemes of Mr Montgomery, and in placing him in the most ridiculous positions. Il was said to be pitiable to see the unhappy Montgomery endeavoring to ronvince the House generally, and his friends particularly, th--it he was acting in perfect concord with Sir George Grey, and that h" was merely preparing the way for Sir Geo hue's Land Tax motion, which was virtually a confession that he admitted his own secondary position to Sir George. Those gentlemen, who are in Opposition Irom honest political convictions must feel themselves in a really humiliating position, while Ma]or Atkjnsov can afforu to laugh at the miserable and futile efforts to force him from the Ministerial benches "f the well-meaning but feeble '■ontgom 1 ry and the unreliable Grey.