THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1708, 11 June 1884, Page 2

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

(From tho Post,) Yesterday there was an enormous amount of bntton«holiupf going on about the Parliamentary Buildings, and several caucuses were held, soine gatherings lasting up to a late hour at night. Well informed people on both sides, after taking careful soundings, arrived at the oonolusion that the Ministry were praotically in a minority of tix or eight, if the whole House voted on a real question of confidence. This so far encouraged their opponents that the most vigorous efforts were made to bring about an understanding between Sir Georgo Grey and Mr Montgomery. Tho former met these overture in the most liberal manner, declaring himself quite ready to vote against the Government, bo long aB the motion was not moved by Mr Montgomery. The latter, who has, on his own motion, taken possession ot the room aligned to the leader of the Opposition, refused to budge an inch from that position, and was Bnpportpd in this attitude by Mr Barrel},.and a very selpct circle of followers. To a proposal that an amendment on the Address should he moved and seconded by the respective Opposition whips', Messrs Steward and Feldwick, Mr Montgomery is also understood to have declined to acepdo. Mr MacandteV, it is ssid, used his best effirta to effect .an agreement, and on failing, through Mr Montgomery's oh" stinacy, is • reportod to have formally several his comiooiion with Iho member for Akaroa, and given in his adhesion to Sir Georgo Grey In tho meantime, Mr Wakefield w.is busily engaged working hiaown.little game, but finding he could not command a following, he addressod tho other Opposition chiefs in writing, 6U?gesting that ho Bbuulrt move a vote of want of confidence, undertaking that}- if it was carried and he was sent for, he would decline taking office, and would advise tho Governor to dissolve Parliament. This liberal and disinterested offer was instantly Bcouted on all sidos, aud none seemed disposed to seek either Mr Wakefield's support or that of tho ex". Government supporters, who, through local grievances, were now disposed to vote against, them.'' In fact, all the nogotiatirins'a'nd discussions which have so far taken plaoo,have only tended to showlniw utterly irreconcilable aro the elements of which the Opposition to the Government is composed, and, how utterly impossible it is for them' to unite under the leadership of any of tho present members. ' Tho situation from an Oppoai ion point of view, is much worse to-day than.it was. yesterday. r Thep there existed various sections of an Opposition; to day-inhere,-, are only fragments Of course, these, fragments may ultimately coalesce, but in the' njoantim'f, several members who.werej-at first disposed to vote against Ministers, havo, we believe, become so disgusted with : the petty joalousieH and; dissentions on the other side that they : have 'announced"their determination to give, their support to •Ministero." ' ' '-''" - '''■"■ y '[ i ''':