The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 1884.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4812, 11 June 1884, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 1884.

The peculiar state of parties—and their name, although not legion, appears to consist of more than the politically orthodox two—renders it extremely perplexing to any aspiring prophet, even to one who has assiduously watched the games played on the political chessboard, to say what its outcome will be. We have before us telegrams of latest movements from special reporters, Press Agency, and all sorts of sources ; and various are the conjectures which might rationally arise from each, were they all reliable. We are told that, the Grey-Montgomery alliance has been' made un fait accompli', that the Opposi* tion whips are to move an amendment on the Address-in-Keply, and if the division ensuing is successful, and the mover of the amendment should be" sent for," he would decline the honor of being entrusted with the formation of a Ministry, but would recommend that Sir George Grey or Mr Montgomery, or both, be lent for. We next see the Opposition whip, Major Steward, pro*, posing a want of .confidence vote, in the, interests of the Opposition generally, which would seem to confirm such a conclusion; but immediately, at the same sitting, we have Sir George Grey proposing the self-same thing, and all this tends to make "confusion worse confounded." Later telegrams state that the Opposition is assuming a concrete form, and that although Mr Montgomery was at first inclined to be obstinate and refractory, some sort of agreement has been arrived at, the burly member for Akaroa has been somewhat appeased, and agreed—to a certain extent—to drop his individuality and allow the work of the country to go on without bis serious interference. The last intelligence we have is that the caucus system .has been productive of much benefit. It is stated that at an Opposition meeting Sir George Grey hadvagreed to withdraw his amendmenton the Address-in-Beply provided Mr Montgomery submitted to the result of Major Steward's amendment, which was to the same effect as that of Sir George Grey's. This it appears the Canterbury member agreed to do, and should fortune favor the Opposition, Major Steward will —if sent for—recommend the sending for of one or both of tbe leaders of the party. We have given a statement of the position of affairs, and, although it would be a matter of some difficulty to prognosticate with certainty what the outcome will be, it certainly appears that the Ministry will have to stem a strong tide, and it is very probable that they will fail in the execution of such a task. They have raised a power against them in the list of Canterbury members; Otago never was too much inclined to support them; Auckland has long been, and unless it has " changed its spots " is still in opposition to the present Government, and the Wellington district is perhaps, fairly divided. It would therefore to a calm observer, appear that defeat stares the Ministry in the face, but while speeding, the parting guest, we are anxious to know whom we have to welcome. There is plenty of talent in the composition of the Opposition benches, although it may be crude and may be misdirected. The sad examples we have had •of pre"vious sessions leads us to place'but little faith in the —well—perspicacity of parties or members, unless where their personal interests have been concerned, yet we have a belief that the present action of the Opposition, although it may appear to be the work of a disunited body, will produce a change, and that change will, if we are not mistaken, have more of the nature of a compromises about it than now seems likely.