PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1956, 1 June 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[By Tblbokaph.l [from oub own- cokbbspondbnt.] WELLINGTON, May 31. A preliminary meeting was held this afternoon of members of the Ministerial party. Twenty-seven were present, namely : —llepsrs Adams, Atkinson, Bain, Beetham, Brandon, Bryce, Dick, Fox, Hal', Hursthouse, Levin, Masters, MolJean, Moorhonse, Murray, Oliver, Pitt, Richardson, Richmond, Rolleston, Rusßell, Saunders, Stevens, Sutton, Tomoana, Trimble, Wakefield. The following nineteen members of the party were net present, but were accounted for, having not yet arrived : - Messrs Bo wen, Oolback, Driver, Fulton, Gibbs, Hirst, Hurst, Johnston, Kelly, Eenny, Mason, McOaughan, Ormond, Seymour, Studholme, Whitaker, White, Weod and Wright. The chair was taken by Mr Brandon. The Premier sketched the intended action of the Government respecting the business of the session, statins that the financial statement would probably be delivered on Tuesday next, June Bth. He submitted to tho meeting the proposal to revert to the limit in number of committees fixed by the Standing Order, viz., ten, excepting in particular cases, such i-.s the committee on Native affairs, which would consist of fourteen, including the four Maori members. The object of this proposal is to avoid the difficulty and wuste of time often caused by members proposing additional names to committees, thus leading to protracted debates, which could be escaped if parties would loyally support the Government on this point. The mating expressed hearty approval of thi3 proposal, and pledged support to Ministers in the matter. It was also mentioned that the Government were considering a modification in the property tax to obviate unnecessary, inconvenience to the public. Ministers intimated that they should always bs glad to receive any suggestions from the supporters of the Government. They were not specially wedded to any particular form of taxation, but it was absolutely necessary that money should ba raised. The meeting was quite unanimous in supporting the views exprested by the Government, and members intimated their cordial approval of the measures of economy introduced by the Government, and promised their hearty support. A vigorous speech was made by Mr Moorhonse, who said that he had been twitted with being too much inclined to go ahead regardless of expense. He admitted that he had always been an advocate for active progress when consistent with the welfare of the country, and he always should be. But now he fully recognised the necessity of strict economy. The country had been going ahead a little too fast, and must retrench for a while. He warmly supported the Government in their retrenchment polioy. There was some disenssion on the Regulation of Elections Bill, some members advocating that all elections should take place on one day during a general election ; others favored limiting the number of districts in which an elector should exercise a vote. In the end the question was left an open one. It was settled that Colonel Trimble should move, and Captain Russell second, the address in reply in the Lower House. I hear that the Hon. Dr. Grace ia to propose, and the Hon. Randall Johnston second it in the Legislative Council. Messrs Beetham and Hursthouße were appointed whips for the Government party in the House of Representatives. So far as cs, i be ascertained, no regular meetings have yet been held by the Opposition. It was reported that some caucuses took place yesterday (Sunday), but members ind gnantly repudiate the idea. It is said now that no amendment will be moved on the Address in reply and no factious obstruction attemptod, but that every facility will be given to the Government to bring down their policy, especially regarding finance, and the Opposition plan of action will be matured after the Government proposals are fairly before the House. Nothing seems definitely settled yet as to the leadership, but every, thing tends to the resumption of the lead by Bir G. Grey. It is even rumored that Mr Maoandrew has explicitly declared in private his abdication of the post and his general adherence to Sir G. Grey as leader. There seems a tendenoy to form various little guerilla parties, hesded (respectively by Sir G. Grey, Mr Macandrew, Mr Ballance, and Mr DeLautour. There are whispers that Messrs Allwright, Lundon, Bunny, and Seddon may not always be found voting

against Ministers. It seems likely that the • Opposition may abstain altogether from a trial of strength this session, on the same Srineiple that no interference with the Grey [inistry was attempted in the session of 1878, ■and in the hope that by giving plenty of rope the Ministry may be lulled by security into fatal blunders. It is the fashion at present among members to express their utmost confidence that the session will be a short one, bu.. there are some who entertain serious doubts on this head.