The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY). WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1879.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5768, 24 September 1879, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY). WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1879.

The first session of the seventh Parliament of New Zealand opens to-day. Technically, it can hardly be said to exist until after the new members have been sworn in and the Speaker and the Chairman of Committees elected. We believe that there is no prospect of any contest for either appointment. Both Mr. O’Bokke, as Speaker, and Mr. Seymour, as Chairman of Committees, last session justified the high opinions expressed of their ability. It is unlikely, therefore, that either party would care to waste their energies in a struggle which would not evoke sympathy either from their friends or from the public. It is quite likely that the election of more than one of the newly-returned members will be challenged. Mr. London’s name has been already mentioned, but one or two others are now spoken of, and if it be true, as alleged, that they have been in receipt of public money up to the date of their nomination, disqualification must result. The anti-Greyites have met, ,-id ore jubilant; fortune has so far smile tv upon the cause, and constitutional government according to law is likely soon to take the place of personal government, which disregards and sets aside the law whenever it suits their purpose. One gentleman who, it is said, will henceforth be known as Mr. Turncoat, is as yet the only noticeable deserter from the anti-Grey party. Owing to the non-arrival hitherto of many of the members, the plans of the opposing forces,

are still somewhat undefined. In the course of a few days everything will be arranged. We hope that a fair stand-up fight will be agreed upon. Whatever may be the outcome of the fray, it is clear that no real work can be done until the balance of power is fairly settled. Greyism in its present unrestricted form is certainly doomed. Report says that some sort of coalition Ministry is talked of even among those who have been always looked upon as staunch Greyitcs. A division in the Ministerial camp has, wo believe, really taken place, and must prove a most disastrous thing for the Greyites just at present. Their only hope of victory lay in successful recruiting among the independent members. This resource will surely fail them, when it becomes known that a Middle party is forming who will have nothing to do with the wolf in sheep’s clothing, whose over-bearing despotism peeps out beneath the cloak of Liberalism so often, that even his friends would breathe a hearty sigh of relief if a kind Providence would remove him to another and more exalted sphere. He has been most useful on the stump, but in the House mob oratory is hardly appreciated, even though greeted by significant cheers from tho down-trodden serfs in the strangers’ gallery. It has been the fashion for the subsidised journals to demand, What has become of the Opposition majority of fourteen 2 The answer which the Constitutional party will probably accord to this is,—Let a division be taken on a want of confidence in the Ministry as at present constituted. When that has been satisfactorily settled it will be time enough to reply to the other question. With equal force it might well be asked what has become of the Government majority of fifteen which, when the division on the Beer Bill was taken eleven months ago, included Messrs. Beyce, Murray, Saunders, and others, whose names are now enrolled among the anti-Greyites 2 The marshalling of the forces is proceeding briskly. Come what come may, the anti-Grey party know and feel their strength. The recruiting for the Middle party is, vulgarly speaking, “right into “ the hands of the Opposition.” Independent members know better than to trust their fortunes in the hands of a party divided against itself. Those Greyites cannot be regarded as very staunch, who, like Mr. Hutohison, used the following language on the hustings:—

Mr Gardner : In the event of your being returned to the House, and a motion similar to that which led to tho present dissolution being proposed—a vote of want of confidence iu the administration of tho Government— would you support it oc oppose it? Mr. Hutchison : That depends entirely upon circuinstances. I will support any Government that will introduce and endeavor to carry through Liberal measures. No Government and no Premier who does not do that will have my support Of course if the present election should result in a majority being returned against the Government, Sir George Grey would not put in an appearance m the next Parliament. It is measures X shall deal with, not men. ..... . Mr. Gardner ; What I wish to direct your attention to is this : Do you think, after what we have seen and heard during the last two years, that Sir George Grey 1s capable ol carrying out a liberal policyi X may add that I am a Liberal myself in tho true sense of tlie word. Mr Hutchison : I don’t think we have come here to discuss the character of Sir George Grey. Ido not believe in an arrien pensce. I have no reserves. But Sir George Grey is a person, and I do not wish to discuss the merits of persons. As long as the Premier carries out Liberal measures I will support him. When he ceases to do that of course I will not support hi Mr. Gardner : I still maintain my question is not properly answered. I” the event of a motion t. e jng brought forward unfavorable to the personnel of the Government, would you vote for or against that motion? ~ _ , ... Mr Hutchison : It would depend entirely upon who proposed the motion, and the way in which it was proposed. I can give no pledges as to special votes in any case. I think this ought to be understood, that a member ought not to go into the House pledged to do any special things. It shackles and tics him up in a particular manner, in a way that Ja improper. We ahall see how matters stand when the House meets. There are many such “ dubersome ” Ministerial supporters, and we have no doubt that the eloquent recruiting sergeants of the Middle party know them