POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2558, 20 June 1882, Page 3

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

[FBOM THE “ PRESS,”J WELLINGTON, Juno 19. Two Opposition caucuses have been held to-day. The first took place in the morning. It was convened by Mr Feldwiok and Mr Steward, as whips for tho party, and about twenty-five members are stated by the whip to have been present, Mr Do Lautour was in the chair, and according to tho version which ho was authorised to communicate to the Press as to the proceedings, it was agreed that a common organisation was necessary if any useful criticism of the Government measures were to be carried out, but that it was not necessary to appoint a leader. An independent version is to the effect that tho meeting was attended by about twelve or fifteen of the older members belonging to the ranks of the Opposition. A desultory discussion ensued, during which nothing was mentioned regarding the permanent appointment of a leader with respect to any contemplated attack on the Government. The consideration related principally to the order of business to be pursued during the session, the criticism to be brought to bear on the Government measures, and the mean* of coming to a friendly understanding with new members who are not supposed to be supporters of the Government. This afternoon an adjourned meeting was hold, and Mr DeLautour again presided. After some discussion, it is officially stated to have been decided that a com non basis of opposition should bo agreed to, and that with tho object of allaying tho opposition of independent members they should be invited by Messrs Steward and Feldwick to meet on Wednesday morning next to decide what the organisation of the party should be ; in the meantime, the members present to bo independent, and to take such course as they may think fit. Such is the authenticated version. Sir George Grey waslpresent,but Mr Fyke and others were absent. From one quarter I hear that twelve members were present and eight or nine accounted for. Even granting the whole twenty-five, it does not seem a promising prospect. One rumor afloat is to the effect that Mr Montgomery and Mr Maoandrew have declared their willingness either to lead or to follow Sir Goo. Grey, as the party may deem best. I hear that Sir Geo. Grey has declined to commit himself to any body, but declares he will remain an independent member. The “Times” says:—“Various caucuses have been held among Parliamentary representatives during the last few days, and the result*, so far as yet apparent, poir-t to the formation of two parties arrayed against the present Ministry- one under the leadership of Sir Qeo, Grey and the other under Mr Montgomery, with a sort of tacit agreement prevailing that when tho fitting time comes they will coalesce for defensive and offensive purpoies. The arrangement, assuming that it has any foundation outside tho uncertainty of passing rumor, does not indicate any dignified staple of opposition.” The “Times” also claims Major Harris, the newly-aleclcd member for Franklin North, as a Government supporter, on the strength of an utterance by tho candidate at the nomination,which

took place at Otahnhn on Friday,the llth inet. Major Harris is reported by the “New Zealand Herald ” to have spoken as follows: — “As to supporting Mr Whitaker, it was true he had promised hia support to an Auckland man, and h« would give it. Ho would give Mr Whitaker’s Government a thoroughly fair trial, but he would not be dragged through the dirt by any Government.” The carrespondents of other papers also report him to have declared his intention to support the Premier and his Government, Throughout his candidature Major Harris sonetantly expressed similar sentiments in language which was not equivocal, and he appears to have been accsp.ed by the constituency on those oonditions.

There is some talk of a new party, calling themselves the “ clean sheet ” party, their basis of operation being to “ let the dead past bury its dead,” and start afresh with a clean sheet. This idea seems popular among;he new members, who are evidently much puzzled whom to believe, after the positive affirmations and denials to which they have been alternately treated by bath sides regarding past transactions. There was to have been a meeting of the Ministerial party this afternoon, but that now stands postponed. There has been a long Cabinet meeting at Mejur Atkinson’s house this evening, the result of which has not transpired ; but it is known that Mr Bryce is greatly annoyed at the strong opposition which the Native Reserves Bill has encountered from members of the Ministerial party. It is oven rumored that he baa openly declared hia intention of resigning if the Bill does not pass substantially in the state in which he introduced it; but this I cannot vouch for. The Committee of the Government Insurance Department has issued a circular to all the total abstinence societies in Now Zealand on the subject of a special “Temperance Section of Life Assurances.” A new branch, called the “Temperance Branch,” has been established, in which all total abstainers may assure their lives at the rotes ordinarily charged, but with the privilege that at each quinquennial investigation into the results of the department’s work they shall have their policies valued separately, and have the whole of the profits accruing therefrom divided amongst themselves separately. Copies of the circular have been forwarded to the various country postmasters.

The Wellington correspondent of tho Dunedin “Herald,” the Otago Opposition journal, telegraphs—“ As to the Financial Statement, the general opinion amongst members is that it is a sale and trustworthy one. It is not likely that the Ministry will be able to carry out the whole programme involved in it—such as the local government and charitable institutions proposal*—but in tho main it will be accepted and tested upon its merits. The discussion which took place at the conclusion of the statement was a profound mistake on the part of the Opposition. None of those who assailed the Government spoke well, and they all displayed considerable ignorance of the subject. They had no plan, but all spoke at random in consequence. Major Atkinson’s reply was a very successful one, and seemed to carry the House. Tho Government have decidedly recovered strength, and have gained the sympathies of many of the now members. The Southern Opposition members •ay they have no desire for a change of Government, which would put out the present set of men for a new Ministry, All they want to do is make a change of portfolioa, so that the Public Works Department shall be under another, and of course a Southern, head, and that the Premier shall be in the House of Representatives.”