PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4813, 12 June 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By Telegraph.] (FBOM OtTB OWN COBEBSPOMDBNT.)

Wellington, Last night.

Mr. Button : gave notice to add to the Address, " That this House is of opinion that it is not possible to form a capable Government from the present House, and that an appeal to the country is necessary."

It is generally thought that Mr Sutton's notice is expressive of a desire on the part of the House for a dissolution. There is a party mo?e of the Opposition to support the mover of the addition to the amendment, as it is feared that if Major Steward " represented to His Excellency that he. would make no recommendation, His Excellency might intimate that it was the duty of the mover of the amendment ousting the Government to make some recommendation, and that upon such intimation Major Steward might advise that Mr Montgomery be sent for; if, however, Mr Sutton's addition is carried, the full force of the opinion of the House thus expressed would carry weight with His Excellency, and induce him to grant a dissolution/The situation, however, is very complicated, and the result is diffi-

cult to foretell. The Government, if defeated, will probably resign, and throw the odium of a dissolution upon the Opposition, and it is generally thought that the Government would refuse to carry on the business of, the country if a dissolution is granted, thus compelling the Opposition to form a Ministry. *The Opposition, on the other hand, are most anxious for a dissolution, and will be willing to vote supplies for two months to attain that end, and compel Government to remain in office until tbe new Parliament meets. The Government is in this position: They feel that they can hardly speak to Major Steward's amendment, i seeing that he only holds the position of whip, but if Sir George Grey or Mr Montgomery could be induced to speak, all the fat would be in the fire. The leaders are waiting for each other, and in the meantime the small guns are talking against time, notwithstanding that a j general feeling against a protracted debate prevails. . i Several new bills have been introduced, j Mr Barren's Plurality of Votes Bill provides that electors are to vote only in respect of one electorate; the hours of polling are from nine o'clock morning to eight o'clock evening, Several slaughtered innocents of last session reappear. Thames Petitions. Mr A. J. Ca'dman, M.H.R.* to day presented three petitions : —l, from residents on block 27, Thames; 2, from Catherine Coolahan, widow of the late Hugh Coola* han, of Thames, praying for compensation for land taken by Government; 3, from Mrs Dearie,' of Ohinemuri, asking Government to fulfil promises made in respect of her claim to some land in Te Aroha. This day. As you will be aware, the farce is at last played out, and probably tbe tamest want of confidence vote on record amongst any Parliament has been given. The only redeeming feature of the whole debate was tbe brilliant, slashing, speech of Mr Wakefield, who, in a masterly manner, attacked first the Government, and then ridiculed the aspirations of Mr Montgomery, to the leadership. The speech thus gave the impression of a desire on the part of the speaker to assume the position of leader of a party; however that may be, the deliverance was probably the most brilliant effort the House has seen for several sessions since—in fact, since Mr Wakefield last occupied a seat in the House—and it was well received by the House and galleries. The effect of the speech was to put life into the debate. He spoke for an hour and a half, and at the supper adjournment resumed his seat. It was, therefore generally considered that the speech would be successful in drawing either Major Atkinson or Mr Bolleston, and therefore there was no possibility of a division last night. Upon the House resuming at 11 o'clock, however, Colonel Trimble spoke for forty-fire minutes, in defence of the individual administration of Ministers, and at midnight Major Atkinson moved the adjournment of the debate. Some Opposition to this course waa shown by ■ members of the Opposition, who charged the Government with want of confidence, in maintaining silence during the progress of the debate, and this brought Mr Bryce to his feet with a peppery speech, in the course of which he accused the Opposition of cowardice in putting up a whip to move a want-of-confidence motion. Mr Montgomery immediately sprang to his feet, and all the fat was in the fire. " Does the Hon. Native Minister taunt this side of the House with cowardice," said the member for Akaroa; •• we will divide at once; the Opposition has only prolonged the debate to allow Ministers an opportunity of speaking, but now we will go to a division." The announcement was received with cheers, and a division resulted in a majority of nine against the Government. Five certain supporters of the Opposition have not yet arrived, so the majority may be counted as fourteen. At the announcement of the result of the division there was a dead silence. The discussion on Mr Sutton's further amendment, expressive of the opinion that a dissolution of the House is necessary, was proceeded withi and was eventually adjourned. The amendment will probably meet with the fate such absurd proposals deserve. Members appear to have lost sight of the ridiculous position such an amendment—if carried—would place them in with the country, in the face of a general election. The Premier will make a Ministerial statement this evening. Opinions are very much divided as to the course the Government is likely to pursue ; some are of opinion that they will resign, and leave with the Opposition the responsibility of forming a new Ministry; others think they will ask for supplies for a short period, and recommend a dissolution. The probability is in favor of the former course being adopted.