PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1960, 5 June 1880, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

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[from oub own oohbbspondhnt.]

WELLINGTON, June 4.

Gossip still continues marvellously scarce in the political world, and the most ardent sensation-monger just now finds it very hard to extract pabulum from the utterly unexciting course of Parliamentary events. An unusually large number of useful practical measures have already been introduced, and partially dealt with, but it is impossible to say how long the stream may continue to flow so smoothly. At present it is hard to say how members would range themselves if a trial of strength were suddenly to arise. In the first division of the session, which took place yesterday, Sir G. Grey led into the lobby a party of 33, as against 35 on the Government side. It. is noteworthy that Mr Maoandrew end Mr Montgomery were amongst Sir George Grey’s followers, while Messrs Allwright, J. B. Fisher, Hamlin, McDonald, and Wallis voted with the Government, whose large majority elicited an expression of indignation on the part of Sir George Grey, that Ministers had the power to compel such an assemblage to follow them into the'Jobby. He added somewhat incomprehonsively that this was another attempt to create a landed aristocracy in New Zealand, but he did not explain how ho made this out, and nobody else could understand his theory at all. Ido not supposo that the result of this division represent (he relative strength of the two sides. It. is notorious that many members of the late Opposition are resting on their oars ponding the Financial Statement, and it depends on the nature of the Ministerial proposals in this matter whether they will work with the Go vernment or the Opposition. Their adverse action will depend in some cases less on the actual merit of the proposals than on the greater or less chance they offer of being used successfully as a means of bringing about a change of Ministry. The Government are fully alive to this, and will act accordingly, but it is obvious that even on this one point alone there is complete uncertainty as to the course of events which may either abbreviate or indefinitely prolong the session. It is reported that Sir G. Grey and Mr Sheehan are likely to come to loggerheads when the latter arrives, as Sir George Grey is very savage with his late colleague for voting against him at the end of last session, and for allying himself with Mr Whitaker during the recess Consequently the mischievously disposed are gleefully anticipating interesting revelations as the result of these two honest men falling out. It is reported that Major Kemp, the chief who was dismissed for turbulent and lawless conduct in the Murimotu affair, has been appointed by 400 Wanganui natives as trustee for their lands.

Some lively talk occurred in the Legislative Council this afternoon on Mr Waterhouse’s question regarding the inscription of New Zsul.nd stock. The Hon. Mr Scotland denounced Sir J. Vogel as being a ruined gambler, saying that he came to this colony without a half-penny, except what he got out of the colonists. Colonel Brett rose, crimson with indignation, and fiercely rebuked Mr Scotland for, as he said, calling New Zealand’s greatest statesman a ruined swindler. The Speaker here interposed and put a stop to further remarks.