POLITICAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2153, 22 January 1891, Page 2

POLITICAL.

[Own OoBBEsroNDENT Lttxblton TIMES.] Wellington, Jan. 20. There seems to be a bitch in the Ministerial arrangements to-day. When the Cabinet meeting in the forenoon broke up, no information could be got by the most pushing of searchers. It ia understood that the Ministerial plans are reserved for the caucus of Thursday, which will probably be attended by thirty members. There are some of that side who want Sir John Hall to reconsider his decision not to take the lead. All the party is understood to prefer him as leader to anyone else, but the state of his health is : what he pleads to every request. It is possible that the hitch in the Cabinet may be due to the question of resigning, as the members of the party are not unanimous on the point, and one or two members of the Government have hopes of getting along without resigning. As no news is available this is only outside rumor. If it is correct it indicates a slight change in the situation since yesterday. The Speakership of the Lower House is being discussed by the party today. It being thought that Mr Kolleston will not stand if not assured of a majority, there is a suggestion ia favor of compromising by giving the Chairmanship of Committees to Major Steward. The appointment of Sir H. Atkinson to the: Speakership of the Council is warmly approved by the Times, hotly condemned by the Post, treated in silence by. the Press. He resigns on Thursday, and takes his seat in another place on Friday,

Ministers are in constant communication with the Governor, the telegraph office at Gientunnel being kept open all night. The general impression (or the information has leaked out somehow) is that Biz appointments will be made to the council: Sir H. Atkinson, Messrs Fulton, J. B. Whyte, Ormond, CJohnston and Downie Stewart.

[Pke Pbess Association.] WEi,iiißaT©N Jan, 21

Another Cabinet meeting was held this morning at which the final determination of the Government waß arrived at. Though not officially announced there is no doubt the result is this:—The Cabinet will resign before the House meets, and if the Governor asks their advice, which is optional with him, they will recommend him to send for Mr Ballance. It is also understood that Sir Harry Atkinson will assume the Speakership of the Upper House, there being no constitutional difficulty in the way as was supposed. The other nominations will be confined to six, but the names are not yet made known. Messrs Pulton, Ormond, Whyte, Johnston and Downie Stewart are supposed to be certainties:

A meeting of G-overnment supporters is convened for 4 p.m , but another will have to be held on Friday, at which it will be finally decided whether Mr Kolleston shall be nominated for the Speakership..