PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5159, 30 July 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By Telegbaph.] (fbom own otjb coebespondent.)

Wellington. Last night. The Ministerial statement wbich I anticipated this morning came up in the form of a notice of motion this afternoon, of which you hare been informed through the ordinary channel. I have it on good authority that some of tho members named in the motion will decline to act, among them being Major Atkinson. A. day having now been fixed for the matter to come on, we are bound to have it out, unless the Government throw up the sponge altogether, which is not likely. There is a probability that when the motion-is submitted to the House on Tuesday, an amendment may be moved in tho direction of striking out all words after the word " That," with a view to substituting the following:--"That the House now resolve itself into a oommittee ,

of the whole," &c. This may or may not j be agreed to, but it can hardly be accepted as anything short of a no-confidence motion. The whole of the proposals may bo discussed by the House during the discussion on the amendment, and a Select Committee may never be appointed. There is a decided opinion as to the desirableness of setting up the committee as a way but of the difficulty, for the Government; it is no doubt a capital idea. On the other hand, if the question ever reaches the committee, the time allowed for bringing up the report may be ex» tended for several weeks, and by that time the session may be drawing to a close, and members, impatient to reach their homes, may be inclined to do that which they would not do now ; so that with the danger which a delay of the question involves before their eyes, many members will be inclined to favor the plan which I have hinted at, and it seems probable that the question will be threshed out by the House upon the amendment to the resolution on Tuesday next, and also possibly determined at once. The Middle Party seem anxious to test their strength, and if an amendment, which amounts to a motion of want-of confidence, is not proposed on Tuesday, a straight no-confi-dence motion cannot be long delayed if the present temper of the party lasts. I understand that Major Atkinson, Sir G. Grey, and Mr Orm^nd are anxious fora change, and that one and all would assist in bringing about a change.whilst neither is anxious to take office himself. Major Atkinson, however, has no objection to anyone of his late colleagues acting quite independently in the matter of taking office, and is willing, I am informed, that his party shall assist the new party. Mr Ormond is not inclined to take office, but I believe that if it were shown that it was a necessity, he would do so.

Mr J. C. Bnckland has formally seceded from the Government party, and others ' have done so in an informal manner by ! offering to support the new party. This day. It is understood that an active but quiet canvass is going on with the object of securing, if the Otago vote for the railway proposals. The inducement held out is that the East and West Coast Railway and the Otago central line might be placed on the same footing, and carried on as colonial works, out of a new loan of two and a half or three millions, to be raised for those two works, Nelson being coolly shunted. If Otago, Canterbury, and Westland could be united in such a bond j of self interest, this would undoubtedly be a very powerful combination, but it is hard to believe that the House would entertain such a proposal.

I am informed that a meeting of the Middle Party, adjourned from yesterday, will be held before Tuesday—probably on Monday next—to discuss the situation with reference to the East and West Coast Railway, and to decide whether or not the amendment to be moved for referring the question to the whole Heuse instead of to a Select Committee shall be considered final if defeated. It is likely the division will be very close. I think it will be decided to fight the question inch by inch, and if the amendment is lost an alternative Committee will be proposed ; if that is lost if; will be proposod to strike out the names of all those interested, and if this is done Togel, Garrick, Hursthouse, Menteith, and Msjor Steward will be thrown off the Committee, and as neither Atkinson, Maeandrew,or Mitchelson, will ac f, there will be only Cowan and Fraser left. If, however, the amendment is lost, a direct want of-confidence motion will be moved by the Middle Party. This party is gaining many adherents ; even Mitcbell son, a former colleague of Major Atkin* son, and Hursthouse have given in their allegiance to the new party. It is said Mr Bryce is also williDg to join. Atkinson will keep in the back ground, feeling that the country is not re.;dy for him. The feeling of the Housel is that Vogel must be got rid of, and Mr Stout is severely criticised for his chivalrous behaviour to his colleague. There is a feeling that if Mr Stout would act up to his principles he would not sit on the same bench with Vogel, and that if he asserted himself he would soon rally a party together. It is determined, however, that Togel mu9t go, and if- Stout and Ballance stick to Vogel they will have to go out also.