POLITICAL NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1889, 14 August 1884, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS.

+. Tke New Ministry. [by telegraph.— special correspondent.] Wellington, Wednesday Night; The New Ministry has not yet been sworn in, but Sir J. Vogel submitted their names to the Governor this morning, and his Excellency signified his approval. It appears it will not be necessary to for Mr Stout's arrival in order that Ministers may be sworn in, as the Cabinet has to all intents, and purposes been formed by Sir J. Vogel. Although Mr Stout is Premier Sir Julius has al&o been accorded "precedence" in the Cabinet, which I understand simply means that he and Lady Vogel will have ceiUin social previleges at Government House which are not conferred on the other membeis of the Ministry.

The Governor's Speech. I intin.ated last night that the delivery of the Governor's speech to-morrow would probably be postponed for a few days, and this has proved to be correct. Instead ot hia Excellency's speech, I learn that Sir Julius Vogel will make a shoit statement in the House as to the formation of the Ministry, and Major Atkinson will probably move the adjournment of the House till Tuesday next, when Paihatnent is expected to be opened by his Excellency in person.

How the Ministry is Regarded. As far as I can gather afc present, the general opinion here as to the Stout- Vogel Ministry is decidedly adverse, and it is openly stated in all directions that they will not survive the session.

Sir George Grey's Tactics. Sir George Grey, who remarks himself ai being completely thrown over by four of his old colleagues, expresses himself as confident of being able to turn them out in a week if the Atkinson party will suppoit him, which, of course, they will be bound to do should Sir Georpe move a vote of noconfidence. Major Atkinson is, however, against this coume being adopted at present, although Sir G. Giey is quite sanguine of being able to muster 50 vote*, on a noconfidence divi&ion, which would be a majority of six against the nesv Ministry.

The Attitude of the South. It is i»f course quite on the caids that some of Major Atkinson's southern follower", having the fear of their constituents before then 1 eyes may lack the moral courage to \ote against a. pin uly South Island cabinet, such as. Sir Julius has foimed, whilst the Vogel p.wty estimate their present strength at from 50 to 55 votes. Mr Wdkefk'ld has, of course, gone into violent opposition to Sir Jnhus-Vogel, and intends to renounce him and all his woiks for having so weakly yielded to Mr Montgomery's intense anxiety to keep him (Mr Wakefield) out of the Cabinet.

Mr Ormond. There is great speculation here as to the attitude Mr Ormond will adopt toward* the new Ministry, and the older members of the Hou^e express the opinion that he ib very unlikely to suppoit the team that Sir Julias hab managed to get together.

Sir Julius Badly Advised. It is the general opinion, both in the Lobbies and outside, that Sir Julius ha 1 ? been very badly advised in the whole business, and that, owing to his unfortunate incapacity to get about the House, he has been compelled to seek advice from people utterly incompetent to infoim him as to the mil status in the House and the country of Messrs Montgomery and Macandrew.

The New Policy. It is stated that Sii Julius Vogel is now inclined to submit a much more modeiate policy than he at first proposed, and that it will include, amongst other important points, an early repeal of the Propeity Tax.

The Government Whip. Mr McKenzie, membei for Mount Ida, has been asked to accept the position of Government whip for this session, but refused. ' He has, however, consented to move the Address-in-Reply to the Governor's Speech. Mr Ballance and the AC Force. I hear that one of Mr Ballance's first acts will piobably be to largely reduce the Aimed Constabulary.