Parliamentary Gossip.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4510, 19 June 1883, Page 2

Parliamentary Gossip.

(fhom oub own cobbespondent.)

Wellington, This day

It seems early as yet to imagine what form the session will take, how long it will last, or aught about it; but there are certain storm signals ready for hoisting. There is a deeply organised feeling of Southern discontent, and men who heretofore were strong in their determination to preserve the unity of the colony, are now talking of financial separation, greatly curtailing the powers of the contral legislature, nnd,,rpataring<— m-florno form— flip'legislative powers that each island heretofore had. A very strong and dead net will be made against Wellington, and the maintenance here of the large horde of Civil Servants. A more united effort, lam told, will be made by Southern members than heretofore to have the next session held out of Wellington. Whether aught will come of these things more than the Southern desire, one cannot tell, but Southern men cannot and will not be made to understand Northern^ affairs. A notable instance of this ignorance may be seen in a notice of motion on to-morrow's Order' Paper; Mr Hutchison is to "move" for a return— (1) of all lands alienated or in process of alienation from the natives during the past four years, stating the locality of ; each area with its acreage, and the price per acre, the return to be furnished by ; licensed agents, interpreters, registrars of land, jpdges of land courts, or other oflii cial pewoos capable of doing so;. (2) of all proclamations over native lands that have baan withdrawn by the Government during the same period, with the particulars aa-< aforementioned, and giving the 'namttft^of. Ihe persons negotiating for, of who have, obtained the ownership of such native lands; (3) of all applications made to the courts, or other action taken by the Native Minister, to prevent persons dealing with native land without the consent of the Government. Now, Mr Hutchieoo is « Northern tuao tfviog io

Wellington, Who on earth can supply such details when a Wellington man betrays this density ? What can be expected from one belonging say to Invercarjjill ? i

The Post is responsible for the fol- I lowing*:—" On the assemblage of Parliament last- week, an invitation to a preliminary private caucus was. sent round by the Opposition whips, and the result was somewhat disappointing, nobody turned up. Several of the Opposition members spoke out pretty freely on the matter, and declared very plainly that they were 'not bo green' as last session when they were new to party life, and prepared to do what they were told by their 4eaders; they knew better now, and were no' dis. posed to make any effort to turn out the present Government, until they learned whom they were to have instead, in the event of a victory.!' It is very positively stated in quarters where accurate information should be available, that there is no concert between Sir Qeo. Grey and Mr 'Montgomery, and that the recent notices of motion were not the result of My con^ certeti action on the part of the rival leaders; indeed the Opposition unfortu nately appear to be more dibunited and disorganised than ever.