PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4867, 15 August 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By TblegbjLph,]

(FBOM OtTE OWN CORErSPONDEN^.)

: Weliington, Last night. There is still considerable feeling among the Northern members against the new Ministrys though the diatribesi ofthe Auckland Press are becoming unsatisfac lory to the more rationally inclined people. Every possible inducement and concession is being made to the North, but un» reasonable hatred of Sir JT.: Vogei and Mr Stout personally has placed Auckland in the silly position she^ now occupies. If the Auckland members will agree to refuse the portfolios offered them, they, must take the consequences of holding aloof and allowing/ their districts to be without a representative in the new Cabinet The feeling that the constitution of the new Ministry is an injustice to the North is giving place to a feeling that the North onlj is to blame; for the- position she occupies, and the, general'expression is one of disgust with the attitude of the Auckland members.

It iVsiated that SirG, Whitmore pro. ceeds to Auckland for the purpose of ioterriewing i)r Pollen and Judge Fenton in reference to the final allotment of the portfolio of Native A ffdrs, and it is be liered there is some troth in the statement, though I can state authoritatively that the new Ministry hare no intention of entering into any fresh arrangement in regard to the portfolio of Natire Affairs. The Ministers will not be sworn in until after the arriral of Mr Stout from Ouncdin to-morrow night or Saturday morning. The licensed tictuallers are already lobbying with a ?iew to the amendment of the licensing law in the direction of doing away with the election of Committees, replacing it with the old system of nominated committee?, the B.M. to preside; establishing a uniform hour for closing hotels; constituting one licensing district only within boroughs ; and hating discretionary power in regard to the endowment of licenses npon conviction, instead of making it compulsory, as at present.

This day. K&w Ministry Gkining Ground, Whilst the Atkinson and Grey partita are working hard in the manipulation of the new members, and whilst rumor says that the new Ministry will be attacked on ther firit opportunity on the Addre»s-in. Eeply, the opinion now obtains that the Opposition; already,- feel their want of strength, and are now disposed to allow the new Ministry to oonduot the business

of the country'without obstrujction;* Tlie comparioon of ticked cards on both aides gives pretty^qual strength, bat on both cards appear the names of the same doubtful members. It may with a cohsiderable degree of certainty be predicted that, after unfolding a policy, the Vogel party will obtain the adhesion of all the irAriering ones, and thus secure a good working majority.

Mr Stout is not expected to arrive here before Sunday or Monday, and - there is some grumbling that his professional duties should interfere wiih : the business of the' country. Under Ihe circumstances, ho we ver,' th is feel ing t s rat her un gen c roils,; seeing that in the-first place Mr Stout was; quite unable to foraee that he Would be] cbosen Premier, and that his absence inDnnedin is; really owing to the serious illness of his : partner,'• who therefore; is unable to perform his professional duties, which have now fallen on Mr Stout.;: 1

- For some time past exertions hare been; made: by both parties to secure the B,npport of the West Goist membfcrs, and at" one timo was thonght likely that ,th 6 would'■ Vote against thej'ftjcomihg Government; but it is now ascertained; that they snpport the incoming Government until at any rate .they have been allowed a fair opportunity of disclosing a policy. ;- r ■ „ 7 :

A caucus ;pf Ma jar '< Atkinson?B i sup-! peters ■ was;, held thismornftg to discuss tile situation; but the only result was that. they,l agreed -to consider tbe: Opposition would have a majority of five. '■ On the other band, -the incoming Government count on a certain majority of 9, and hope to secure the mot doubtful men.