PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 164, 23 July 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

i>. ; [From'ilio' * Press.’] . \ 'Wellington - , Ju'y 21. * -'The' latent proj osah is a reconstruction nf tho Ministry, with Mr Maraud row as Premier. I need nut tell you that this docs not come from Canterbury members and that there is no danger of the idea being entertained. Mr Macandrcw is inclined to admit outside the House that the finance is in a great moss, but the Premier maintains a sullen silence about the position or necessities of his new department. Tho Opposition are quite willing to vote any money that the Premier can show to be needed by the country, but they will not vote largo sums blindfolded, as he seems to wish the House to do. The Government arc disposed to make every delay possible. It is said that Mr Sheehan wid take up a whole evening himself. No Middle Party proposal, or ruse to divide the Opposition, has the slightest chance of success. They arc far too united for that, and too earnest in their fears of the consequence of any more Grey Government. Their opponents, on the other hand, are hampered with Sir G. Grey, who refuses to be set aside. There are, also, amongst them such a nameless number of aspirants for office mat v/e have begun to think that there is no member of the House who does not believe himself entirely qualified to act as Premier.

The Government party are cudgelling their brains to hit upon some idea that will help thorn in their sore (.istress, for they no longer make a secret of it that they are in a bad way. They have made tremendous efforts to secure the Wellington Press. It was first tried to bring about an amalgamation of the ‘ Times’ and ‘ Hew Zealander,’ but the opportunity was allowed to slip, and will never return, as the Opposition have contrived to infuse new life into the old paper. The ‘ New Zealander’ for a while was speaking its mind pretty freely, but it is now bound hand and foot. An attempt has been made to induce the ‘ Chronicle’ to support Sir G. Grey, but it was futile. While almost red Republican in its tone, the ‘ Chronicle’ will have none of Sir G. Grey, whom it considers a perfect humbug and charlatan, am! that his talk of shedding the last drop of his blood in defence of the liberties of the people is the wretchedest bunkum. The move now is to try to galvanise Grey ism by appealing to the public at mass meetings. The first ovperiment is to be made in Wellington, by holding a monster open air meeting. which is to be addressed by Sir George himself, but there is a strong feeling that it will result somewhatdifferently from his famous arcade meeting. People here arc perfectly sick of Sir George snd his balderdash. There is not a word of truth in the statement that Sir W - Fox has arranged with Mr Macandrow to pass tiie Loan Bill at once if now sent down. Ho arrangement whatever has been made by Sir W. Fox with Mr , Macau drew' about that Bill, nor has any been asked, for ; on the contrary ohe Opposition know Sir George Cray too w-ell to grant even an Imprest Supply, except from hand to mouth.

llis Opposition havt- decided not- to roly to any speeches except those made by Ministers. It is understood that the Government party do not intend to speak at any great length. -Mr Sheehan speaks to-niorro'.v, and Mr Wakefield replies to him. The ‘ New Zealander’ says that there is very little doubt but that a dissolution will be granted.

[From the ‘Lyttelton Times.’] The Liberal parly is making every arrangement to promote a powerful organisation throughout the country. It is probable that a monster meeting will bo held here on Wednesday, at which Sir G. Grey and Mr Heos will be the principal speakers. Intense disgust seems to pervade the Opposition ranks at the speech and conduct of their leader, Sir William Fox. A considerable number have raised the question of deposing him and putting Major Atkinson in his place, hut the Major is as objectionable to one section as the Knight is to the other. The. latest rumor is that the Native poalfolio has been promised to Mr Hobbs, and that of the Colonial Treasury to Mr Wake held, in tiro event of the Opposition getting into power. Mr J. Evans Brown, since his arrival yesterday, lias been busily engaged in the attempt to form a Middle party, iherncmbsrs of which will decline to vote on the present issue. It is said that some halfdozen members have given in their adhesion to Mr Brown, hut nothing definite is known as to the names.

In some papers connected with the New Zealand University and circulated to-day, there is a despatch from Sir Julius Yogol explaining the steps he has taken to have the benefits of the Gilchrist Scholnrsh’p Foundation at the Universities of London and Edinburgh extended to students of the New Zealand University. He expresses a sanguine hope that before long the same privileges now enjoyed by the students of the Melbourne and S.ydne3 r Universities will be extended to those of the New Zealand oney \ The Chinese Immigrants Bill is circulated. It prohibits any ship bringing more than one Chinese passenger to the Colony for every ten' tons of register, under a penalty of LlO for every passenger in excess. Every master to pay LlO for every Chinaman he brings to the Colony.