PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1974, 22 June 1880, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[By Teleobaph.l [fbo_ oue own cobbespondbnt.J WELLINGTON, June 21.

It is said that the division on Sir G. Grey's no-confidence motion will probably not be taken earlier than Thursday next. I understand that Major Atkinson will speak tomorrow evening, and it is rumored that Mr Sheehan may follow him. I have reason to believe that Major Atkinson will make some new and striking disclosures as to the profligate and extravagant expenditure which went on during Sir G. Grey's term of office. The figures I have heard hinted at are almost incredible in their magnitude. According to present appearances Ministers are likely to have a majority of at least 10 or 12, including Messrs. Allwright,McOaughaa,Shanks,Bunny, and Seddon. This, at least, is the current report. They voted for the Government in the last division, excepting|Mr Bunny, who paired for Ministers. If, as seems practically certain, the Government win by a heavy majority, it is thought that no further effort will be made to oust them this session, but that the Opposition will reserve themselves for a recess agitation, in the hope that by having plenty of rope the Government may become unpopular next lyear through being obliged to cut down expenditure and increase taxation, and therefore prove an easier prey. Such is their hope for the future, and meanwhile they will strain every nerve to score as many votes as possible in the coming division. I understand that Mr Hamlin has left for the Waimate Plains, with a view of aacerta rning the correctness or otherwise of Mr Bryce's statements regarding the alleged discontinuance of a certain road, which had been reported to have run into a swamp. Mr Bryce, it will be recollected, denied that any road was abandoned, but the reply did not apparently satisfy Mr Hamlin, who has gone to the vicinity to see for himself. He is to report upon the matter when he returns. It is generally thought that the Opposition have made a great mistake in choosing Mr Hamlin, whose soreness at being ousted from the chairmanship of the Native Committee is a matter of notoriety, and indeed is scarcely thought necessary to be concealed. It is equally notorious that the necessity of a change in that chairmanship was absolutely forced on the Government by the fact that many members refused to serve under Mr Hamlin, whose mode of conducting business was greatly objected to. His delegation to this West Coast visit points to the probability that he will be carefully " briefed " for his report, whioh is not likely to be particularly valuable.