THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1700, 1 August 1879, Page 2

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

SECOND EDITION

[PEE PEBSS AGENCY.] WELLINGTON, August 1. The Opposition members are again in caucus tb’s morrmg, considering t'O present position and the measures to bo submitted this session. Both parties ere in treaty regard‘ng the Representation B :, l, which, however, is not expectc 1 to be passed tb's session. A caucus oE Government supporters is to be held this aßemoon. A report emanating from Government supporters is to the effect that fourteen of the Opposition have come to the conclusion that, in view of the imminence of the Native difficulty, and otter unfavorable circumstances, they will attach themselves to the Govern, ment party with the object of avoiding tho necessity for a d’ssolulion and with a view to passing the principal measures in the Liberal programme. Tho Premier has sent a submitted memo to the Opposition, stating that it is intended to tubmit to Parliament the Electoral Representation and Chinese Bills. The Opposition have appointed a committee consisting of Messrs Whitaker, Stewart, Rolleston, Atkinson, and Sir W. Fox to consider tho Government proposals. [PEOM OtTB OWN COEEE3PONDENT.] Sir George Grey is said to be flinching, and to be nnwil'Hg to face a dissolution. The Opposition have consented to grant three months’ supplies. The Government and the Opposition are now in treaty for passing the Representation Bill, but this is likely to encounter strong opposition from the representatives of rotten boroughs, which would be abolished by the new Act. A caucus of Government supporters will bo held at half-past three this afternoon. The session is expected to close this day week or ten days hence. The new electoral rolls comes into operation on Ist September, but if elections are to take place under those rolls, an empowering Bill would have to bo passed bringing tho rolls into immediate operation. It is expected the new House will bo got together early in November. The leader of the Opposition received, this morning, a letter from the Premier proposing in tho face of the Governor's letter, that he should bring down and pass several important and very disputable Bills prior to the dissolution. In other words, that, with an overwhelming majority of the House against him and the recorded public vote of censure filed oa him, he should continue defiantly to hold the reins without a dissolution. Of course no one would for a moment listen to a proposal so utterly at variance with all constitutional practice, and which no one but Sir George Grey could have prepared.