The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1877.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 225, 22 September 1877, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1877.

From information received from Wellington by the Arawata last night we understand that there is likely to be a lively debate in tlie House shortly, not on some "side issue, but upon a direct want of confidence motion. This is as it should be. Tbere have been quite enough of skirmishes and duels. The country is' heartily sick of them, and will be only too glad to see a pitched battle, by which shall be decided for the remainder of the session whether the Government or the Opposition are the stronger party. In the programme sketched out by our correspondent, however, there is one decidedly objectionable feature, namely, that the Speaker of the House of Representatives is to be au interested party in the debate, as upon the result of it will depend his future position. If the Government are victorious he is to remain ia the chair, if the Opposition win he is to be the future Premier. Under these circumstances, and in a debate that promises to be as acrimonious as any that has yet taken place in the Now Zealand Assembly, his rulings, be they as impartial as they may, are scarcely likely to be accepted without question. The whole of tho members will know tbat his sympathies are with the opponents of the Government, and there will neturally be a disinclination to submit to his decisions. If Mr Fitzherbert, whom all would be pleased to see onca more taking an active part iv the debates, desires to retain tbe respect of thejHouse and the conntry he should be offi with his old love before he is on with the new. Our correspondent writes as follows:— "Early next week there is to ba a grand fight. It is quite settled tbat a want of confidence motion is to be brought forward, but not decided who is to move it. But it does not much matter who the actual mover is, as it ia generally understood that in the event of its beiug carried Mr Fitzherbert will leave the chair and take tho Premiership, although ha will not budae until the fate of this motion is decided, thereiu showing some of the wisdom of the' serpent. Iv all probability the Government may have a majority of four or five, bit not more, and even those are doubtful, so I was informed to-day by an ardent suporter. Of course the individuals who are to compose the new Ministry are freely spoken of, but all talking is vain, for I am sure those most likely to know have not settled anything in their own minds. So far as anyone can give a guess, 1 think they will be— Mr Fitzherbert Premier, Mr Gisborne Colonial Secretary, Mr Rollestnn Native and Defence Minister' Mr Curtis Postmaster, Mr Travers AttorneyGeneral, Mr Montgomery Commissioner of Customs, Mr Reader Wood Minister of Justice. The Public Worka portfolio will probably fall to an Otago man. That is as far as I can make out the position at present." Since the above reached us we have received a telegram stating that Mr Larnach one of the members for the City of Dunedin, is to bring forward the waut of confidence motion on the House being moved into Committee of Supply. The result will be looked for with much interest.