POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2531, 19 May 1882, Page 3

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

THB “ PRESS.*’I WELLINGTON, May 18. The opening of the eighth Parliament of New Z. aland, which duly took place this afternoon, wa« about aa tame an affair as could well be conceived. The only episode which imparted anything approaching life to the affair was that connected with Mr Pillieb’s entree , of which more anon. When the three Royal Commissioners formally dedared Parliament open, only eight or nine Legislative Councillors were present, mostly Wellington men, and some fifty members of the Lower House. The weather was beautifully fine and mild. The galleries of the Council Chamber were almost deserted, all the interest concentrating in the other Chamber, whither the “ Faithful Commons ” speedily repaired. There all the golleries were densely packed, especially that allotted to the ladies, which was quite resplendent. The expectation of something like an imitation of the BradlaugH affair in connection with Mr Pilliet and the " oath ” was the magnet of attraction, but this proved a very mild excitement. To the surprise of most of those present the Clerk of the House calmly called out the name of Mr Pilliet among the rest, and he took the oath as one of a trio, of which Mr Rolleston and Mr White (Sydenham) formed the other two components. It does not seem to have occurred to people generally that the Clerk of Parliament does not officially know anything about members being unseated, and has only to do with |the list of members compiled by the Clerk of the Writs. The judges’ report as to the unseating of members has to be transmitted direct to the Speaker, aud is practically dormant until it has reached the latter, therefore it could have no effect until after the election of Speaker, and there being no Speaker when Mr Pilliet arrived, there was nobody who could challenge his position as a member declared by the returning officer to be duly elected. It is understood, however, that immediate steps will be taken to give effect to the Judge’s decision. There was some slight applause when Mr Pilliet took his seat. At this stage fifty-eight members were present, and the swearing in went briskly, and then Major Atkinson, as leader of the House, proposed Sir Maurice O’Korke’s re-election as Speaker. Expectation was on tiptoe when he obviously approached the conclusion of his speech to see who would follow him, common anticipation pointing to Sir George Grey. That veteran, however, sat calm and immovable, but the very instant Major Atkinson moved “seatwards,” up sprang Mr Macsndrew with astonishing swiftness, and seconded the nomination, thus practically asserting, under the circumstances, his claim to be considered leader of the Opposition. It was of course understood that Sir Maurice would be elected nem con, but a sort of thrill ran through the House when its “ Father,” MrLevestam, M H.R. for Nelson, suddenly uprose and poured forth a passionate protest against Sir Maurice’s high-handed tyranny in crushing the stonewallers last session. Mr Levestam, however, did not oppose the motion, and growing cooler as he went on ha gradually rounded off Kis speeoh into one almost of compliment, and when ho ceased the election was unanimous. So ended the day’s proceedings. To morrow we are to have the Speech from the throne, which, I hear, is to ba very short and sweet. Mr Peacock will give notice of the Address in Reply, which, it has at last been finally settled, will bo seconded by Mr Rutherford, M.H.R. for Bruce, instead of by Mr Fi'xgerald, as at first intended. It is still understood to be the intention of Ministers not to put up any candidate for the Chairmanship of Committees, but to leave the Opposition to propose Mr Thomson or Mr Hamlin if they choose. Some of the Opposition say they object to this being devolved on them, and that their side will not propose a man at all unless the Government do first, but that if the Ministers nominate a man then they will put up a competitor. Borne idea now prevails that the Government will endeavor to out this Gordian knot by selecting one of the two abovementionod and supporting him as the Ministerial candidate. There will be a sort of off hand meeting of members, presumably on tho Government side, to-morrow morning, relative to

this and other preliminary matters. It i« likely also that there will be a caucus of each party on Monday, by * which time most of the members will hare arrived. It ie not thought probable, however, that any definite programme will be n t an nn>l. - _ /w, 0 nravel

arrived at so early in the session. several members, reputedly Oppoiition, having insisted on hearing what are the Government proposals, and having them before the House before committing themselves definitely to adverse action. Both sides seem pretty well agreed that parties and politics are in a state of utter chaos, out of which it is not easy to see what will come. Everybody has a kind of “ Mioawberish” air of watting to see what will turn up, and I think there is great curiosity t© see what is the new programme Which Ministers have been eo industriously incubating during the last week or two. Major Atkinson’s Bocal Government Circular is looked on as a very clever stroke just now as a skilful bid for the approval of local bodies, who will be able to consider the matter uninfluenced by their Parliamentary representatives, who might be prejudiced by Parliamentary feeling or interests. I hear by the bye that Sir Julius Vogel is actually oa his way out to the colony, on business connected with his agricultural company, but not with any idea of entering again into colonial politics. I give this report as it reaches me, but I have no authoritative information on the subject.