SESSIONAL GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2965, 16 August 1878, Page 2

SESSIONAL GOSSIP.

(tbom oub own cobbespondent.)

Wellington, Thursday,

There was something like animation in yesterday's proceedings. Mr Fox asked to know all about the way Government dispensed their advertising patronage, and though he went into the subject at considerable length, his tone and language were very calm and dispassionate, but in subsequent speeches there was some firing, until Mr Bees boiled over in an attack upon Mr Fox. People wondered why so much talk should have taken place, especially when the Government expressed their willingness to furnish all information asked for, but it appears that the ever watchful, if not agile Mr J. C. Brown had been round, and that accounted for the motion being talked out.

Editors will likely be wanted here soon. Jock Anderson is about to leave the Post and go to the Chronicle, and Mr Gillon is to leave the New Zealander to go to ho one knows where. , f .

There is some talk of the Government breaking out with a new policy which will astonish the country as much as Sir J. Vogel's policy of 1870, but it cannot be verified. «

Mr Sheehan has not been in his place in the House for the last two days. It is supposed he is busy-with his statement on native affairs and others pertaining to his office. The town is full of Maoris, and as they all want to .see Mr Sheehan, he finds it a hard matter to get time to do anything unless by the help of the midnight oil. Mr .Barton is rapidly destroying any

sympathy msmbers of the House may feel for himself or his grievance. He appears to have Judges on the brain. No matter what tho subject under discussion, if Mr Barton speaks he drags in the judges on some protest, though the connection with tho subject is not always clear. He has in consequence already received two very decided slaps over it, first from Mr Swanson, and last night from Mr Wakefield, in finished style. Sir George Grey does not look at all strong just now. The old energy seems to be flagging, and he does not seem to care to appear in the House a minute longer than his presence is absolutely necessary.

Whatever doubt was felt, and there was some, as to which side Mr Barton would attach himself to, there is no longer any doubt at all, ho has pronounced for the Government in the most uncompromising way.

If the Opposition have any latent design on the Ministerial Benches they keep it remarkably secret, for not a word is breathed of tactics of the kind. Taking the party in the aggregate, no definite ideas regarding attacking the Government exist in the party, but there are a few individual members of the Opposition who, if they'dared, would light the brand of party strife in a moment, but they are overruled, caution being the order of the day.