POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2552, 13 June 1882, Page 3

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

WELLINGTON, June 12. I notice it is stated that a deputation of new members who refuse to acknowledge either Mr Montgomery or Mr Maoandrew as leader, waited on Mr Sheehan last woek, and requested him to lead the party, promising him at the same time a large amount of support from independent members, but that Mr Sheehan declined to comply with their wishes, as he preferred remaining of the rank and filo of the party. From what I can learn I imagine this is simply a little joke on the part of some faoetious spirits, for it has scarcely the merit of much probability. An adjourned meeting of goldfields members was held to-day, at which there was a good attendance. An intoiim report, embodying resolutions previously agreed to and already published, was adopted by the meeting and will be forwarded to the Government.

Major Atkinson is somewhat better to-day, but unfortunately be has not yet recovered tho use of his voice. He still hopes to be able to deliver the financial statement tomorrow evening, but I should not be at all surprised if it had again to be postponed. A Cabinet meeting, over three hours, was held in his house on Saturday evening, and he was much fatigued at tho oonolu2ion, the result being that he was not so well this morning. He is taking oaro of himself, however, to-day, in the hope of being up to budget mark to-morrow. It will be a great disappointment should another postponement be inevitable, especially as it is understood the Government have arrived at a sort of provisional decision respecting tho new loan. A rumor was in circulation to-day that the statement might be read by Mr Rolleston to-morrow, should the Colonial Treasurer's v.ice be unequal to the task ; but this course has not yet been under consideration, as it is obviously desirable that the statement should be delivered by the Treasurer himself. I understand that, although tho views of the Government relative to the loan will be declared in tho Budget speech, so far as concerns the amount proposed to be borrowed, end the manner in which it shall be raised, the full scheme of the new publio works policy will not be elaborated on this occasion, but will be left to tho Hon. Mr W. Johnston to announce in his public works statement, which will not be made for at least another fortnight. I hear that Mr Johnston is quietly collecting a large amount of independent information as to the requirement!--, capabilities, and resources of the various parts of the colony, whioh will be very useful in enabling him to appraise the value of the somewhat conflicting testimony which is being perpetually forced upon him by repeated deputations, each eager to champion its own locality. Thero seems little doubt

that the Otago Central, Ohristohurch Northern Extension, past Hurunui to Waiau, Napier, Woodville, through Manuwatu Gorge to Palmerston, and Auckland, Awamutn to Waitara, will be a:ncng the lines specified in the Loan Bill sohodule; but it is in regard to tho other proposed works that the doubt cornea in, and there will bo great difficulty in even approximately satisfying ell the claimnnt?. Probably a Ten Million Loan would leave muny localities discontented. Fot to-morrow's sitting fourteen queslions ara sot down. There are fifteen Orders of the Day, and six new Bills ore to bo introduced, namely—(Mr Fish) A Bill to Amend the 'Xaranaki Iron Smelting Works Land Aot, 1374 ; (Mr Fisb) a Bill tj Amend the Dunccm lieserves Management Ordinanoe, 1867; (Mr Wright) the LyHelton Harbor Bo:srd Bill ; (Sir Hobbs) a Bill to | Inoreaso the Beprosontation of the Maori People in the House of Reprerentativesjof New Zealand ; (Mr DeLautour) the Mines Act, 1877, Amendment Bill ; (Mr J. M. I Thomuon) a Bill to Begulate the Width of Streets and Roads. The ohief business is the oommittal of the Industrial Sohools Bill and the adjourned debate on the second reading of the Native Reserves Bill, which Mr Sheohan is to resume. Major Atkinson will go oh with the Government Life Insurance Bill as soon as possible, but I hear it is likely to meet with some stiff opposition, on the ground that while becoming more and more free from Government control the Insurance ■ Department under this Bill would have the

power of enormously extending its liabilities, for whioh the oolony would be responsible. It will be urged that the power given to the proposed Insuranoe Board, to invest funds in good freehold mortgages, instead of confining it to Government debentures, as at present—although the ohange will enable 2 or 3 per cent, higher interest to be earned —will involve a continuous risk of increased liabilities in the event of any of the securities turning out badly. I am afraid there is a tremendous avalanche of talk impanding over the Licensing Act Amendment Bill, on which the whole question is to be re-opened in various forms. Mr Weston has already tabled amendments, which include abolishing elective committees. Mr Green has another string of amendments; Mr Fish a still longer string. Mr Button is said to contemplate an attack on the Licensing Act from end to end. An Executive Council meeting was held to-day at Government Houee, when Sir Arthur Gordon presided, probably for the list time. Various arrangements have been made in preparation for his departure on Thursday.