POLITICAL NEWS.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 688, 2 September 1876, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

{From a corespondent of the Press.) Wellington, September I. The names I mentioned yesterday—Mr Whitaker, Hon d. Hall, and Mr Ormond—were the three stated in both Houses as forming the fresh elements in the new Ministry. The Ministerial statement was made first and most fully in the Upper House by Hon Dr Pollen. In the Lower House the Hou Major Atkinson’had not an opportunity of speaking for a full hour after the hour of meeting, in consequence of the ill-natured discussion which Mr Uolleston happened to initiate as to the position of the Premier and the Ministry in bringing down a message from His Excellency on the subject of three Harbor Bills. The prominent members of the old Opposition and Mr Wakefield were wordy, if not wise, in their assumption that the Premier had officially ceased to exist, and spoke some severe things, until Mr Murray-Aynsley came to the rescue by moving the adjournment of the debate. In the Upper House Hon Dr Pollen’s statement was succeeded by some similarly captious criticism by the Hon Mr Waterhouse, Hon Colonel Whitmore, and Hon Colonel Kenny, smartly replied to by the

Hon John Hall and Hon Dr Pollen. To-day all the members of the Ministry were sworn in before the Governor. The Gazette is not yet issued ; but it is understood that the Hon Major Atkinson is Premier and Colonial Treasurer, Hon J, D, Ormond Secretary for Land and Immigration, Hon F. Whitaker AttorneyGeneral, noi necessarily resident in Wellington. The other portfolios as they were. At the end of the session Hon John Hall will succeed Hon Dr Pollen as Secretary, and Hon J. D. Ormond Hon Mr Richardson as Minister of Works. The general feeling and expression in the local prints are that the Ministry is the strongest that could have been organised, or has existed for ten years past. A meeting of the supporters of the late Premier is expected to be held early, with the intention of recommending his appointment to the Agent-Generalship, and his immediate acceptance of the office. There are rumours, but no definite information, as to a vote of want of confidence, and much will depend on the nature of Major Atkinson’s statement on Monday evening. The Hon Dr Pollen, in his statement, said the Hon Major Atkinson had placed himself in communication with Mr Whitaker, who consented to assist him in the work of forming a Government, on the condition that the Government to be so formed by them was, in fact, a new Government, who should be unembarrassed by the acts or promises of their predecessors, except as to the leading features of the policy maintained by that Government, and which had obtained the approval of the General Assembly, Additional papers, in reference to the inscription of stock by the Bank of England, have been laid before the House, they consist of a letter from Mr Mackrell to the Premier, dated London, 29th June, and a subsequent telegram, dated London, Aug 4th. The letter from Mr Mackrell contains the result of a conference between Mr Michie, the Agent-General of Victoria; Sir William Power, representing New Zealand ; Mr Foster, Agent-General for New South Wales; Mr Larnach, of the Bank of New South Wales ; Sir John Rose, on behalf of Canada; and Mr Hamilton, on behalf of Queensland. The Bill adopted by the Imperial Government to give effect to the arrangements made by Sir Julius Vogel when in London, was considered, and various amendments suggested and embodied in a letter to Lord Carnarvon. Mr Dutton, Agent-General for South Australia, subsequently expressed his approval of what had been done. Mr Mackrell, in his letter to the Premier, says—“ We are very hopeful now that the Bill may pass this session.” And again, “ You will be glad to hear that the feeling now is very unanimous that if the Bill can be carried as desired, it will be of great value to the colonies, and you may congratulate yourself upon having brought it about.” The subsequent telegram announces that the Government has abandoned the Bill, promising to bring it in again next session.