POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2580, 14 July 1882, Page 3

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

fßv Timgeaph.l I>BOM THE “ PRESS.”J WELLINGTON, July 13. Matters have been frightfully dull all day. The Egyptian nows seems to have quite overshadowed politics in the interest not only of ths public, but also of members themselves. To-night) however a very circumstantial report is freely circulated to the effect that a no-confidence motion is positively to be moved to-mo3row. This is boldly stated by some prominent Oppositionists, but is discredited by the Ministerial whips, who are, however, making duo preparation for all possible eventualities. The Opposition claim to have a majority of two, but I fancy they are reokoniogiwithout their hosts in several instances, for the lists of the Government whips show a

safe majority of at least five or six for Ministers. It is still disbelieved that the Gray and Montgomery parties will coalesce, for each is too jealous of the other, and each would like to secure the first chance of being “sent for” in case of a victory. So if Mr Montgomery moves a no-confidence vote the Grey party will most likely find some plausible excuse for refusing to support it, and if Sir Georgs Grey moved it ihe Montgomeryite Opposition would decline to follow him into the lobby. It is said that a certain lieutenant of Sir Q. Grey hzs managed very cleverly to detach Mr Dargavillo from tho Montgomoryitee, and to flitter his vanity with the idea that he should move the no-confidence motion, and be “sent for ” if it should prove successful. Indeed it is openly reported this evening that Mr. Dargaville will be the mover. It will not be definitely settled, however, until to morrow morning what is to be done. Until I have direct ocular and aural evidence to the contrary I shall still believe that the Opposition will “ funk” even at the last moment, and if a coalition could be effected they would yet be almost certain to be badly beaten, I think they see this despite their bluster, and that they see also that a failure at this stage, when Parliament has been two months in session, would damage them seriously with the country. Therefore it is likely that wiser counsels may prevail, and that the threatened attack may pass off in mere smoke. The truth is there are many of the new members in this Parliament who are not at all disposed to be led by tho nose blindfold by Mr Montgomery and Mr Macandrew, or Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan. They have no idea of making a faux pas at starting, and prefer to bide their time. I know that the question has been under serious consideration whetber a motion to the effect “ That the public works proposals of the Government are unsatisfactory” would meet with good support, but so far the feeling is negative. To let you into a little secret, no member dares to admit that the Ministerial proposals, in respect to bis district, are satisfactory, because he knows quite well that if ho did so he would instantly be turned on by all other members, who would insist that if he was satisfied he must have got too much, the viow being that nobody can be satisfied with his allotment of the loan expenditure unless he has got more than his fair share, so members grumble and appear disaffected, even while many are secretly chuckling at having obtained much more than they expected. A meeting of Canterbury members was held to-day, thirteen being present. Mr Pearson was in tho chair. Mr O’Calleghan moved —“ That in the opinion of the meeting the railway charges for carriage of grain, Native timber, and New Zealand coal should be reduced,” This was intended to apply to the whole colony, but Mr Steward moved, as an amendment, that it should apply only in Canterbury, and after a keen discussion the amendment was carried by seven votes to six. I understand, however, that some who supported the amendment are since disposed to repent having done so. It was decided that a deputation should wait on the Government to urge the views of the deputation, and that a firm stand should he taken in the direction of obtaining relief in the railway rates.

The report of Sir W. Fox, West Coast Royal Commissioner, was presented to Parliament to-night. It has been anticipated in a telegram which I sent you some weeks ago. so I need not recapitulate its contents. Sir W. Fox recommends eighty-nine Crown grants for immediate issue, applying to a total area of 47,000 acres, extending from Waitotara to Pates, Waingongoro, and Waiweranui, Thera are copious appendices comprising survey reports, memoranda, and reports on special cases. The latest bulletin to-night respecting the no-confidenoe motion rumored to be pending is that Mr Dargaville is to move it if anybody, but that ho is growing nervous about not seeing much promise of support, and that he is disposed to abandon the idea. The general belief seems to be that there will be no such motion this session, now that matters have progressed so far without it, because there would be no justification for not bringing it down earlier, if at all, and so avoiding waste of time, ;Howover, to-morrow will show.