POLITICAL NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 11, 11 June 1885, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS.

The Wellington correspondent of the Auckland Herald writing on Friday last, stated that he hud it on reliable authority that a party m op-

position to the piv.^iit Government was beinif funned m tin; South, and the loaders were Messrs Montgomery and Maeandrew. They were reputed to have taken Mr Harron into counsel, and had communicated with Sir Gkoii«k Gkky. The same correspondent, writing on the following day, says ; — I have made further enquiries respecting the party .movement said to be m progress m Otago, and find that it is believed to be true by the best informed political men m Wellington. I have heard that a member of the Legislative Council, who was closely connected with the Government last session of Parliament, and who is at present m Wellington, confirms the statement.! Two at least of the Wellington members have heard it, and believe it to be exceedingly probable. They are of opinion that the movement will have the effect of strengthening Major Atkinson's party, liy rendering it compact and united. They believe that the majority of the. electorates of Wellington will go with Major Atkinson's party. The strength of the present Government they say, lies chiefly m the West Coast of the Middle Island and Canterbury. They do.not indicate how the Auckland representatives will be afFected by the new combination, but they believed that Major Atkinton has a very considerable support m the North. They consider that the Auckland vote will very much depend upon the relations that are likely to arise between the opposite political elements which will be $- volved during the session. I have heard it even stated that if the Government should be defeated upon any vital question they will appeal to the country. It is said that the Government would be m a position to ask for a dissolution, inasmuch as last session their measures were entirely tentative, and the country wquld be entitled to express an opinion upon their matured policy. The question immediately arises, what would be considered a vital part of their policy ? The answer 1 have heard given to this is that the Local Government Bill is likely to furnish a field of battle for the next Parliamentary campaign. The difference between the ATKiNSONlparty and the present Government on this question is wide, and the points of divergence are obvious and dtfinice. It is said that the opinion of the electorates might be taken upon this question, which concerns every part of the colony, and that the opinion taken would determine for the future the direction which local government would take. The new party is said to have its own battle cry, but no one appears to know exactly what it is. I send you these items of political gossip without expressing an opinion of my own. I can only vouch that they are gathered from gentlemen prominently engaged m political life, some of whorh aije, well informed of all that passes m regard to political parties. If I were at liberty to ; mention their namejsi, .1 think you ' Would' allow thac some of them are m. a position tip speak with considerable authority.