POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2530, 18 May 1882, Page 3

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

LFBOM THI “ PRESS ”J WiiLLINGTON, May 17. I cannot recollect any previous session of Parliament the eve of which woe so utterly barren of nows, and even of goes’p, as that which commences to morrow. Of course, the important Ministerial changes which took place so close to the session to a large extent disorganised the preparation in the Cabinet. I am, however, inclined to believe you will find the general outline which I telegraphed to you some days ago approximate to a correct one ; but I also anticipate that yon will see some rather unexpected proposals disclosed when the Government programme comes out officially, which proposals it is not deemed discreet to publish beforehand. They will most likely be submitted in the first instance to a caucus of the Ministerial party, and probably will only be vaguely hinted at in the speech from the throne. It is understood that Major Atkinson, as leader of the Lower House, will move the reelection of Sir M. O’Borke as Speaker, and that Sir G. Grey, as leader of the Opposition, will second the motion, which, of course, will be carried unanimously. Nothing is yet definitely settled in Cabinet (at least, nothing was up to a late hour this evening) touching the Chairman of Committees, but I still hold to the opinion that in view of obvious difficulties, the Government will take a leaf out of Sir George Grey’s Ministry books, and leave the matter to the House. There is a rumor afloat that, should this course be decided on, the Opposition will refuse to nominate any candidate, but that directly the Government nominate anybody an Opposition candidate will be put up, most likely Mr Thomson or Mr Hamlin.

It is said that some of the more astute and cautious members of the Opposition party have induced a certain eager and irrepressible member, who had previously made up his mind to move a vote of censure on the Government for not earlier calling the new Parliament together, to forego that intention for the present. He was to do it as an amendment to the address in reply, and it was to have been merely an expression of “regret” that Minis;ei had not taken the earliest opportuc-ty of meeting the representatives of the people, and so far there is no doubt at all that was the idea of the excitable “irreconoilables.” They did not expect to carry it, but they considered that evea if lost, the amendment and the debate which was certain to take place would afford a safe and pleasant means of annoying and embarrassing the Ministry at the outset. It is not yet settled who will move and second the Address in Reply, I mentioned lately that rumor pointed to an Auckland and to a Westland member; but as far as I can learn, the matter still remains unsettled.

You will remember I hinted that some Native business would bo among the earliest to osgege the attention of the new Parliament. You will find, I think, that this will comprise an Indemnity .Bill to validate the action of the Government at Parihaka, &0., and a Peace Preservation Bill, having reference to farther measures for the permanent pacification of the West Coast. I understand that Major Atkinson may very likely bring down his Financial Statement on Tuesday week, 30th inst, an unprecedentedly early date ; but of course this depends entirely on the course intervening events may take.

fFBBSI ASSOCIATION THIBSBAM. I WELLINGTON, May 17. The Commissioners for opening Parliament to morrow are—Hon. F. Whitaker (Premier), Sir W. Fitzherbert, and Hon. Major Richmond. The Governor will deliver his speech on Friday. Various representatives are arriving by each steamer. Mr Pilliet has arrived here, intending to take his scat to-morrow for Stanmore. The ordinary notices have been sent him to attend Parliament, and his passage to Wellington was provided in due course, and a return furnished him by the Clerk of Writs. He will probably bo sworn in without objection. It is understood that Sir Erskine May has been cabled to for advice under the circumstances.