POLITICAL RUMORS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2576, 23 June 1881, Page 2

POLITICAL RUMORS.

The Wellington correspondent of the “ Lyttelton Times'’ says : —I am assured by a member who is in frequent and direct communication with Sir J, Vogel that he positively intends returning to New Zealand before the general election, and will in all likelihood re enter political life. Opinion is daily growing sttonger that the Middle Party is bound to come prominently to the front before many weeks. The same correspondent states that the carrying of Mr Andrews’ motion for throwing enquiries into charges against civil servants open to the Press, appeared a surprise to both sides of the House, and especially to Ministers, Mr Hall having intimated that the Government would oppose it at all hazards. JThe result of the division was received with loud applause, and is generally regarded as another snub to the Government.

The following items were telegraphed by the Wellington correspondent of the Press.”: —

It is expected that the financial statement will be delivered either on Friday, July 1, or on Tuesday week, July 5. This is the time I have throughout indicated as probable, but I believe the matter is not yet finally decided, I hear that there is some likelihood of the Local Public Works and Finance Bill being brought down first, with a view of giving the House ample time to digest the proposals. The result of this afternoon’s division on Mr Andrews’ motion has created some comment, as showing the want of discipline in the Ministerial ranks, owing to the absence of an organised Opposition, which leaves numbers free to vote as they choose. Even one of the whips was absent when the division took place. There is still no sign of fight on the part of the Opposition members, and both sides have combined to push on the Licensing Bill as fast as possible.

I understand that the Representation Rill is almost ready, and will probably bo introduced either on Friday or Tuesday, but the second reading may bo postponed until considerably later,unless the House desires to go on at once. A long and bitter struggle on the Bill, and an scramble over the schedules, is deemed inevitable. I hear that the modifications in the last Bill, necessitated by the census, are not very material.