Wellington News.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 155, 12 June 1884, Page 2

Wellington News.

[from our own correspondent.] Wellington, June 11. The general opinion of Dr. Newman’s speech is very favorable, and most people agree with him that wool and grain are likely to remain low in price, and that customs will continue to fall off from lessened duties on spirits, and from woollen goods being manufactured in the colony instead of being imported and thus paying duty. Several caucases of the Opposition have been held during the last three days. It was Sir George Grey and not Mr. Montgomery who declined to agree about an amendment. Sir George Grey declined to let his whip, Mr. Feldwick, second the amendment, or that anyone likely to be a candidate for the Premiership should move the resolution. Mr. Wakefield’s offer to do so was refused. In the end late last night every member of the Opposition agreed to vote against the Address-in-Reply. It is said the Ministry will be in a minority of ten. If beaten it will not resign, but will ask for a dissolution and appeal to the electors. Major Atkinson was in the House last night, and laughed and was very cheerful when Steward made a long prosy speech in moving the amendment this afternoon.

Mr. Seddon, of Kumara, gave notice to ask why a ready-made gallows had been sent from Westport to Hokitika to hang the murderer Donoghue. This afternoon Mr. Shrimski resumed the debate, and spoke for the amendment. He referred to the Insurance Department, more particularly to the agreement with Mr. Geo. Thorne. The Premier said he would probably reply on that point. Mr. Ivess, who followed, spoke for the amendment, referring to the difference between the present state of things and what they were when Sir John Hall left. The Premier denied the assertions. Mr. J. W. Thomson spoke in favor of the amendment, and was followed by Mr. Smith, of Waipaoa, who complained of false promises to local public bodies about their subsidies. It is rumored that the debate will close tonight.

Five Opposition members and one Government supporter arrived in Wellington this afternoon.

Mr W. C. Smith spoke until the dinner hour. In the afternoon the gallery was crowded with visitors. Mr. Hursthouse rose and defended the Government. He doubted the sincerity of the Opposition, and referred to the indictment on the ground of secondary education, yet his own leader, Montgomery, was the great god-father of secondary education and chief robber of the people, and on its behalf he had asked to hand over the Colony to the people of Dunedin and Christchurch, with their two Governments, added to the one at present in existence, the oldest member of the Opposition (Macandrew) asserting Otago was the Colony and who wa prepared to sacrifice the Colony for a vote of £200,000 to Otago. Mr. Hursthouse said there was a majority of thirteen against the ministry.