WELLINGTON, last night.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1105, 24 July 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON, last night.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

The political sifcnation may ' be thus described, the Government keeping on »__e debate, the Opposition putting uo men up to reply. On Saturday, tha Opposition reckoned on a majority of eight. Kowe's declaration for Government reduces ib by two votes, and Murray is nob to be counted ou by either party. The Opposition are still sure they have a majority, and Ministerial supporters own thoy will be beaten. The Opposition say the Governor will grant a dissolution, bub Ministerialisbs and Ministry are divided in opinion. None know when the division takes place, or how, meantime, members may be manipulated by either side. The press here assert that a dissolution should be granted. The ' Times ' says ifc should not, and the 'Post ' is mute on the subject. There has been another fuss among the Maori prisoners here, and two of them are sentenced to seven days solitary confinement. It is stated here that they arc to be removed further South.

The Upper House has been eloquent on native wrongs. Mr Hart, in Council, states Government should reward Te Whiti rather than punish him for the action he had taken, which was the only one open to him to assert his rights. Mr Gisborne pointed out, last evening, that the survey of the Waimabe Plains had been ordered by Sir Donald McLean.

A Middle Party has been formed, composed of some fifteen members. Their programme was, firs, bo vote against the Grey Government, and oust it, and then make terms with it, and oust its successors. The members of this party now talk of walking out of the House, on the division.

WELLINGTON, Tuesday, 2 p.m. ' The telegraph wires were down yesterday, and communication was stopped, and I, therefore, had nofc an opportunity of sbafcing that a new par by had sprung up. The Middle party has had several conferences. It consists of men who aro dissatisfied with Sir George Grey's Government as at present constituted, and who dislike the advent to power of Sir William Fox and party. It comprises Messrs J. I_. Brown/TtirnbulL Murray, and, I believe, McMinn and one or two other.-?. They talk of walking out of the House on a division, that they may nofc be in any way pledged to either party. Ifc i s also reported that they will move an amendment on Sir William Fox's motion, so that bhe words should be inserted that they have no confidence in the Government "as at present constituted." This is to provide for a reconstruction. Probably the movement will come bo nothing. Various lists of the Ministry that is to be are circulated. Oue says that Sir William Fox will be Premier, with some other portfolio* Mr Olivier, of Otago, is spoken of for Public Works ; Mr J. S. Macfarlaue, if he is the Auckland representative, will be Commissioner of Customs, with the Post-office and Telegraph. For the Native Department, Mr Hobbs is the favourite, but it seems (hat two Auckland men are doubtful. If Mr Hobbs is nob Native Minister, Mrßolleston or Mr Bryoe would have the best' chance. Mr J'. H. J Hall will be Colonial Secretary, and Mi- Walter Johnson, Colonial Treasurer. The Auckland members will, I think, vote thus : — For the Opposition: Sir R. Douglas, Messrs Hobbs, Mrcfarlane, Morris, Whitaker, and Williams.- For the Government : Messrs Sheehan, S\vans_n, Sir George Grey, Messr-? Hamlin, Moss, Rees, Tole, and Wallis. Doubtful : Messrs Goldie, McMinn. Probably, two of these doubtfuls will go to the Opposition, who now claim to possess an absolute majority of nine or ten.

NEW LIBERAL ASSOOIATON,

The new Liberal Association of New Zealand will be inaugurated tomorrow night or Thursday, by a mass meeting at the Arcade. Sir George Grey will be present, and will propose the firsfc resolution, « That ifc is desirable that a Liberal Association be enrolled." The second resolution will be mpved by Mr Rces, setting forth the principles upon which the Association will be founded, and thn method on which it is proposed to carry on its operations. A committee will be appointed. The Premier, whether in office or out of ifc, is to visit tho various centres of population, The programme of the Association will be the measures sec out in the Governmenfc programme.