OUR SPECIAL.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1048, 18 June 1883, Page 3

OUR SPECIAL.

(by telegraph.)

WELLINGTON, This day

Np intimation is,yet,given ~by the Opposition leaders of a hostile amendment to the Address-in-Ecply to the Governor’s speech. According to rumors to-day from Opposition sources the Governor’s speech will be keenly criticised both for what it contains and what it omits, and there is some prospect of an amendment being moved in the course: of the debate if the Opposition members are found to have mustered in sufficient force to encourage a hostile demonstration. As to the Ministerial side, 1 may say a strong feeling of confidence prevails, and nothing would please Ministers better than an outspoken attack when the Address in Reply is moved to-morrow. Major Atkinson, as leader in . the: Lower House, is manifestly in a fighting humour, and will accept any challenge put forth, or even hinted at, by Sir George Grey or Mr Montgomeiy. You will have noticed that Sir G. Grey declines to bring the Land Tax question to an immediate issue. It is understood that he and Mr Montgomery are acting in concert for -challenging-this part pf the I riug|»t lo.clotign Patoa readers' against rumours alleging' that Mr Montgomery and his section have agreed to follow the lead of Sir G. Grey. There ; -is this : grain of truth that the two leaders are'friendly':without working in close partnership, and,they have agreed to assist each other on this Land Tax question because they both regard it as the most vulnerable, part of the. Ministerial policy. ■ Ori ' other- questions these leaders will act independently, and may sometime* oppose each other. I understand that Sir George Gre3 r has expressed a qualified approval of that passage in the Governor’s speech, hinting at the early reform of the Upper House, j Sir George has a bill on the samp subject j though aiming not at reform, but at,the! abolition of the Upper House. He thinks,’ however, that the Govennent scheme will; be carried. I believe - the Ministry have not prepared a bill on the subject, but that they hope to carry a motion affirming ! the broad principle that the Upper House should be elective. It is not expected that a Bill will follow the motion immediately, but that the Bill'will.be reserved; for next and be thus an opportune lever for influencing the elections to: follow.