PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1955, 31 May 1880, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[By Tbleqrafh.]

[from our own correspondent.] WELLINGTON, May 29,

There ia utter absence of Parliamentary gossip or political excitement at present. Only comparatively few members have arrived, and they have not yet shaken down into working order, but are more occupied in settling themselves in their quarters for the session, exchanging convivialities with Wellington friends and in other personal matters than in politics. Nothing definite has yet transpired us to the plans of the Opposition, but it is understood that some unofficial negotiators will take place between this time and Tuesday, and that a preliminary caucus of the party will be held on Monday. Many conflicting rumours are afloat as to the pros peotive movements of both sides, but the real truth is that as yet chaos has not even begun to evolve into order. The general opinion is that Sir G. Grey’s resumption of the lead of the Opposition is inevitable, as neither Mr Macandrow, Mr Montgomery, nor Mr Balance could command the confidence or reliable support of the party, whereas Sir G. Grey would probably be popular, as the Opposition leader, so long as there was no chance of his again attaining office. As a matter of fact, however, nothing is yet definitely known, settled or even proposed. There is almost, equal uncertainty as to the designs of the Givernment regarding tho only questions which are deemed dangerous, viz, the property tax and the subsidies, dare is being taken, and will bo, that nothing more transpires as to the actual financial position and prospects of the colony until Major Atkinson brings down his budget in tho ordinary course of things. Tho last quarter’s returns of revenue and expend’turo would have been published ia the “ G z tte ” long ere this, but now I learn on authority that they will not be gazetted or made known in any way until they have been officially stated to the House by the Treasurer in the Financial Statement, as part of the year’s result. The Government are evidently determined to place their whole Financial Policy be'ore the country at one swoop, so as to compel the battle to be fought on the entire question, if at all, instead of risking defeat on separate details. Numerous efforts have already been made to get from Ministers some expression of opinion, but without effect, as to the statement telegraphed as having been made professedly on authority by tho “ Hawke’s Bay Herald,” ‘‘that the proposal of tho Government, ' relative to a substitute for subsidies referred to in the Governor’s speech will take the form suggested by Mr Ballauoe, naraeh ,making all Native and Crown lands subject to rates.” The invariable (reply is, that no such statement can possibly have been made on authority, as the intentions of Ministers on the subject have never been revealed to anybody outside the Cabinet, and it is not ovisidered advisable to affirm or deny any assertion which may bo made about their financial intentions of the Government. Some persons are inclined to think that this implies the correctness of the rumor, other believe that Ministers are not unwilling that this shall be suppose i for the time in order to divert attention from their real plans. I know that great pressure is being biought to boar on the Government to modify the property tax in soma way, but here again Miniatars are quite impenetrable, and tho secret of their indentions, whatever tneee may really be, ia still kept. It is well known that rigorous reductions are being mndo in nil departments, and an impression prevails that this is one of the surprises preparing for tho House, namely, an announcement that far H'ger savings will bo shown than the public h ive been led to believe possible I know that the departmental estimates have been returned to the heads of departments again and again with positive orders that they must bo cut down. The majority of tho officers have to come back every night to work till very late, indeed nearly all tho scores of windows in tho big building are to bo soon lighted up nightly.