PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5171, 13 August 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

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Weilington, Last night.

It is understood v that if the Government propose to leare the construction of railways to local Boards, Mr Ormond will move a direct vote of want of-coafidence; The same attack may be expected if the Government place a sum on the Estimates for the work, and altogether opinions strengthen that the Government cannot hold office beyond a few days longer.. Major Atkinson is expected to arrive hare to-morrow night.

The Waste, Land* Committee have agreed to the new clauses in the Land Bill handing over the control of educa lion endowments to Land Boards.

This day.

The Treasurer's Supplementary Statement was very' coldly received last night, acd sometimes"'with almost open derision. The half measures respecting the Property Tax did uot seem to meet with ■approval, for there were general cries of " Make it a penny." .Some disappointment was felt that nothing was said by the Treasurer touching the East and West Coast .bail way scheme, but it is presumed that the views of the Government on this head have been left, for Mr Richardson to declare in his Public Works Statement, which will probably be delivered' on. Friday night if nothing in the shape of a no-confidence motion intervenes.' It is improbable, however,* that any hostile action will be taken before the Public Works S ta.tf,nieni is, down.,„_ _ „„,...„_.., It appears that Major Atkinson is unable to reach town, this morning, as he had expected to do, but he will arrive tonight. A consultation will be held.by the? various leading members of the Qppoailion as soon as posssible after his arrival, with the object of deciding upon the coqrse to ■ be adopted as regards the Government. Amon^lojjby rumors is one to the eft'eot that the leadership of (he next attack on Ministers will be between Ormood ftsd Bryce, the former being the more likely to assume that post. It is said that a powerful section would

insist upon Mr Brjcts's inclusion in any new Cabinet, while on the'other'hard some urge that Capt. Bussell should be made Native Minister, Mr Ormond being [Premier, wifh Messrs Mitohelson, Mont. Romery, Fergus, Fulton, and G. McLean as bin colleagues. Some sanguine mem* berir of the Opposition party express a confident opinion that " the Ministry will be out within a week," but " threatened men live.long."