PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5176, 19 August 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By Telegraph.] (feom own our correspondent.)

Wellington, Last night

Nothing new has transpired as to the political situation, though it is generally believed that the Opposition still meditate mischief, and that the time to be fixed for the attack will depend upon the Public Works Statement.

Writing on the situation, the Post to night remarks :—"An Opposition so demoralised as to be unable to find a leader could never be transformed into a party capable of supplying and supporting a Ministry. The events which immediately preceded Major Atkinson's return, and which have since ensued afford most conclusive protf of the fact that there is no Opposition which deserves to succeed, and that if, by any fortuitous combination of circumstances, the present Ministry should be turned out, the most utter confusion—a state of chaos—must inevitably ensue. A good many calm and sensible members, who, being dissatisfied with the Government, well prepared to express that dissatisfaction by their votes on a properly proposed question of no-confidence, have now fully realised this fact, and they are 10disgusted with the discussions, jealousy,

and intrigue, which has been so apparent during the last few days, that they have arrived at the conclusion that bad though the present Ministry may be, there is no chance at present of getting a better one, but a very strong probability of sometbiug much worse resulting from their ejection from office, should that be effected."

As I wired to you to-day, the rumor that Sir J. Vogel would resign from the Cabinet has been authoritatively denied by the Premier. It is, however, stated on pretty good authority as a fact that Sir Julius Vogel voluntarily offered to resign if his colleagues thought his doing so would strengthen them, He said that he understood the threatened attack Was directed chiefly against himself, and he had been informed that he was the unpopular element iv the Cabinet; he was therefore quite willing to at once retire, if by so doing he could best serve the interests of the party. The members of the Cabinet, however, were unanimous in declining to accept any sacrifice of the kind, saying that they felt equally responsible with tbe Treasurer for everything which had been done, and that they were determined to stand or fall together. Parliament will probably shortly be afforded an opportunity of expressing an opinion as to whether New Zealand should join the Federal Council under the terms of the Enabling Bill of the Imperial Parliament. The Government will pro bably be guided by the action of New South Wales on submitting any recommendation to Parliament.

The Select Committee on the Govern ment Printing Office, appointed to en* quire whether any of the work could advantageously be let out to private contract, report to the effect that it was not advisable to let out the work by contract, though occasionally a job might be given put as a test. The Committee drew attention to the very unsuitable character of the Government Printing Office.

This day.

In consequence of the rnmor as to the appointment of Sir J. Vogel to the Agent Generalship, Mr Mc&rthur is to ask the Premier (1) whether the Government have received any intimation of the intention of Sir F. D. Bell to resign the Agent' Generalship; (2), if so, have the Government entered into any negotiation, arrangement, or understanding with any person as to his successor; (3) if so, will the Government state with whom such arrangement, negotiation, or understanding has been entered into P

It is rumoured in the lobbies this morning that Mr Montgomery has been " squared " with the offer ©f the AgentGeneralship upon the expiration of Sir Diion Bell's term of office. It is well known that Mr Montgomery is anxious to take up his residence in England, where he has sons, but I cannot by any means vouch for the truth of the rumour and merely give it as an item of current lobby gossip. .