PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1748, 26 September 1879, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

[Br Telegraph.]

WELLINGTON, September 25. ’The Opposition held a very successful •caucus this morning. There is no doubt of their having a majority, and they were perfectly unanimous in the election of Mr Hall as leader. The couse to be taken will depend upon the nature of the reply put into Mr .Andrews’ hands to propose to-morrow. There is, however, no sympathy with any tfcimid or procrastinating counsels, and there is little doubt that the fight will come off on the reply to the address, although that is sure to be a manifesto to the electors, and a misrepresentation, as the speech itself, which you will see, is carefully constructed to keep up the old fiction, that Sir George Grey’s opponents are ■fighting against his Liberal promises, not against his autocratic defiance of all constitutional control, his incapable and demoralising administration, or bis ruinous finance. Many of his supporters are ready to join against him on conditions, but the Opposition feel too strong to offer any conditions, and as a body would prefer the small majority they can secure without compromise to any large number,-including men who are bent on self-preservation or exaltation. One of the members of the Opposition wants to get married next week, and it was suggested that before he can marry he must pair.. Another caucus will bo held to-morrow ■morning, when arrangements will be made for calling on the debate, which is sure to he a long one, and to include many maiden speeches. A sure sign that Sir George Grey expects to be beaten is the rashness with which he puts forward his Bills, without any of the policy that he was so great at when he had a majority last year. The whips on the Ministerial side are Messrs . Seymour and J. 0. Brown. The Opposition whips are Messrs Hursthouso and Sutton. There being four Greyite candidates for the Thames, and a probability of Mr Whitaker also standing, Sir George is much exercised thereat, and is endeavoring to persuade three of them to retire. So far they have not agreed to do so. Sir George Grey is determined to get rid of Sir J. Vogdl, or compel him to give up all idea of getting into Parliament. Sir George ” degraded himself ” by attending at the Legislative Council Chamber while the Governor read his speech. The Government party have great hopes that Sir George Grey’s dexterity will yet extricate the party from the difficulty they are at present in.