PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4916, 11 October 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By Telegbaph.]

(eeom otjb -own cobebspohdent.) Wellington, Last night Dissension in the Camp.

There is a funny temper in the House with respect to various Government bills now before Parliament, and the honesty of the measures is being much ques* tioned. " Schemes," "jobs," and " sops," and such like unpleasant words, are on the lips of opposite members, and threats of stonewalling are not uncommon. All this points to the fact that there is a simmering of dissatisfaction among members not confined to one side of the Homse, which upon very slight provocation may lead to open rebellion. The Government, however worthy of sympathy and support, do certainly seem to lack in an almost inordinate degree that quality which is especially necessary and useful in Parliamentary warfare, namely, tact. The House is beginning to feel that there, is far too muf.h heard of syndicates, companies, and so forth in the Government proposals, and a danger of Government by rings is beginning to be feared. The offending bills are, among others, the District Bailway Leasing and Purchasing Bill, the South Sea Islands Trading Company Bill, Greymouth and Wcsport Harbour Board Bills, and the East and West Coast (Middle Island) and Nelson- .Railway Bills. Sir George Grey, who ia supposed to be friendly towards the present Government, is not quite satisfied about some of these bills, and yesterday, in referring to one of them, expressed his intention of making a vigorous attempt to extract certain information from the Government on the bills. Indeed, in,every direction there are signs that the Government are not making many staunch friends. This is exceedingly to be regretted, especially as there is no real reason for a defection of sympathy from the Government; if they would only use a little party tact and conciliation, all would be well, and their honest and energetic efforts to prosecute (he business of the country would meet not only with the suppor;of the House, but also the commendation of the colony.