PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1763, 14 October 1879, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

["By Telegbafh.]

WELLINGTON, October 13,

It is rumoured that the Colonial Treasurer's financial statement to-morrow will show that the revenue is very seriously short of the expenditure, and reveal enormous extravagance and reckless outlay in all departments, the Native office especially. The Hall Ministry expeot to be able to move the second reading of the Representation Bill to-morrow.

It is stated that the Government are willing to allow Mr Macandrew to bring on hiß noconfidence motion with as little delay as possible. They consider, however, that they should be allowed a fortnight to prepare the measures they intend to bring forward, and enable them to lay a statement as to the financial position of the colony before the House. They say further that if, after the disclosures they will make, there should bo a majority against them, they will accept the position, and give their opponents every assistance in carrying on the business of the country. With this object, the Government will do all they can in a constitutional manner to get the timo they require. The new Opposition had a jovial dinner on Saturday night, at which the "Chronicle" tells us that the speeches were excellent, especially that of Mr Pyke, but as Mr Pyke was not there he may not feel much flattered with the well meant compliment, and the other speakers may feel that no great stress is likely to be laid on the opinion of such a critic. Every effort was used to get Mr Stewart there, but he kept fearfully aloof, and he has not even an excellent speech put down to him, advisable as it would have been to have done so under present circumstances.

Mr Sheppard's constituents are requesting him to resign, but Mr Sheppard will not even waste away under the ordeal. The same paper that gives Mr Pykesuch an excellent speech says that the knowing ones confidently assert that there will be a majority of eleven for the Macandrew party on the noconfidence motion. At present it looks as if it would goby the Speaker's casting vote, but when the House learns from Major Atkinson the frightful state of the finance, the reckless extravagance, the outrageous corruption, and the utter absence of anything approaching foresight, prudenco, or regard for consequences, it ia probable that many members may come to the conclusion that the colony cannot stand much more of the Grey and Sheehan finance.

Messrs Russell and Ormond aro expected back to-morrow, which will secure the Government againßt a repetition of Friday night's division.