PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4870, 19 August 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By TisiEefKAPH.]

(fboji oxje owk court spondent.)

Wellin gton, This i#ay.

A meeting of the goldfields members was held yesterday, when the following were present -—Messrs Seddoa (in the Chair), ■•'■P'y'kej■Qowani,^^ Whyb,'Hursthpase, Fraser, Bevan,'.^Menteath, Gadman,^^^ McKeDzie, Morris, and Guinness. The question of the abolition of. the gold duty was considered, and a deputation was appointed, to ioterriew the Minister of Mines, to re-; quest that Government will: bring in a Hll to abolish the gold duty in the South; Island,; and .to':.;make its remission per-: missive in the JSTprth Island. Mr cent Pyke was requested to act as cohve-; ncr of meetings of gpldfields members in' reference to subjects? affecting goldfield; Jnterestsi:::, '::". K ~ ' i->-:" •'■*.•"■•■■ ••••.,-■ ■■ '■' Col. Whitmore, who returned from the North on Sunday, was sworn in yester'tfay, ■"::■■;■;. ■:■<< ■:;■■; ■- -;i ■'- ■ ■'■ .' ■■■■■■■'■'■•. ; A deputation of goldfields' members waited on- Mr: Macandrew this morning: upon several matters affecting goldfields' interests, the chief of which* was;-the: abolition of the gold duty. There is no definite result to report, but Mr Mactindrew promised; ;to give the matter his attention'..'^:'.. ;V'\ ■ V.'- ;'■': ')' !"! 4-'':" :':':":"■:'■■

'M> beAddress-in-Reply. ; j:; V Mr McKenzie (Mount Ida) wiif:'.give; notice to-day that ho ;■■. will to-morrow 'eve oing more "That a res pc ctful add ress be presented to ■ His Excellency in •. reply:.; to the speech^ His Excellency has been pleasod to present to both Houses." Mr , Bevan, the new member : forj Hokitika, will second the. i^qidress-iu-Rpply. i>

(PjEE PbE63. '. ASSOOIATIOK.)"

-. v ■ , Wellinghon, Thisday. : Oapt- Morris Accepts a Portfolio. ; It is understood that Capt. Morris, of Tauranga, has been offered and has accepted: theTacant seat in the Ministry, and also; tha^;the portfolios hejivill take are those of Justice and Customs. f

-.'■•■."■ ■';.';■. *:'■'.'''■■■ i '-■'"■'■' .." •/■ ■ ' ...••i-liiTßß.:"..'?; Morris was sworn in at noon toy day as.Commissioner of Customs.; s; j

(FBOM OUB OW COEEESPONDENTO

Government Gaining Strength. Capt/Morris last night' accepted office under the New Ministry,- and was at noon to-day sworn in with the portfolios of Justice and Customs. The new appointment has given universal satisfaction, Capt. Morris baring served a good political training, and being likely to prove a man of good administrative qualities. He for many years occupied Jthe position,of whip to the late Government party, but last session went over to the Opposition on a question of the policy of the- late Government. This allotment of (he

vacant portfolio is well received by the. Auckland' members generally, and will probably secure for. Government three, if not- four, Auckland votes. It is now beyond doubt in most men's minds that Government have a substantial majority ; at present they have a certain majority of twelve, and there are some doubtful and honest raen " sitting on the rail," awaiting the disclosures of the Government policy.