Parliamentary.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 799, 31 July 1877, Page 2

Parliamentary.

[From Our Special CorrosponJeufc.] x GOVERN tfEST BUILDINGS. . .Wellington, ltißt nigh*. THE AGENT-GENERALSHIP. Mr Stafford being about to visit England at .the close of the session, the Agent-Generalship has bsen offered to him and accepted. Sir Julius Vbgel's services will therefore be dispensed with. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS. The question of making the Upper House an elective body, will be raised in the course of the approaching debate on the bill to extend the franchise. OPPOSITION WHIPS. Messrs Sheehan and J C Brown, of Otago, will be the Opposition whips. WAIKATO RAILWAY. An important debate is expected on Sir George Grey's question whether Government will talce any steps to extend the railway from Te Awamutu toTaranaki, which comes in to morrow. It is utuWstool Sir George Grey "has a ■* cut and dry, an;i 3laim3 to be in a belter positiou to obtain the consent of the Kiugites than the G »i'<-;m!j\w.io. It is ex ected his scheme -vd! bo op. i osed by the.Government, unless he is able to show that means cm be raised, and it is also understood that,

if the Govern medfc.oppose Sir George Grey, he will generally attack the Govern raenfc policy, ia order to show that they do not take proper ad van. tage of native willingness to permit public works,

THE AGENT-GENERALS AIP. i\fv Stafford's appointment as Agent GeneraJ will _be strenuously resisted by the Otago -men;>TUianyof the—.proposed ,;re-'. moval of. Sir Julius Vogel. Mr Stafford had intended to go home at the close of the session. NATIVE CLAIMS./ Tararoa and the natives of the natives of the Middle Island, who claimed over two million aceres under an old arrangment which was not fulfilled by Government, are now in high feather as the Ministry give an assurance that they will endeavour to come to terms. It is understood legislation is to be introduaed to prevent technical difficulties which impede proof of native claims. ' • '' MAKING IT HOT FOR THEM It has got about, to-day. that the clerks in the treasury were unable Jo balance their • accounts by £6o,ooorThafer-M.i i jop-A ; tkiasoa=wa^. furious, and the clerks were kept busy trying-to discover the blunder, The story may be exaggerated, but no doubt there is some truth in it, because the clerks have been kept very hard at work day and night and difficulties are undoubtedly experienced in balancing accountsiFRIENDLY SOCIETIES BILL. Government will make further amendments in the Friendly Societies Bill in the Upper House, during the second reading. THE BUDGET. The Financial Statement will certainly be delivered to-morrow night at half past seven, unless some unforseen contiugency"arises. THE PRESENT POSITION. The Government has' no programme. All are waiting for the Financial Statement. It is '-©iieved that the Opposition .hopes, to found ah attack on it. Sir George Grey * does not evince much anxiety to lead. The Opposition is said to be waiting to see whether the old following will voluntarily come under his banner. Until they do he will sjhow no tendency to assume the leadership. The real fact is, too many people are bidding for the position of leader, All are sitting on a rail. The abolition of the provinces left only one policy that is to complete the one on which the colony is inevitably embarked.