POLITICAL NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1890, 16 August 1884, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS.

Tke New Ministry. |by telegraph.—special correspondent.] Wellington, Friday Night. The prospects of the now Ministry, as far as the appearance goes, are certainly not improving under the oresent management. Further Delay. It appears now that owing to some accident to the Hinemoa's machinery and the detention of the usual Sunday steamer from the South till Monday, Mr Stout will bo unable to reach Wellington till probably Monday afternoon, so that Ministers are not likely to be sworn in until Tuesday morning. Mr Stout's absence is freely commented upon during the present crisis, and it is very justly remarked that if he could not see his way to attend to the business of the country in preference to his own affairs, he should not have accepted the office of Premier, or at least, that he should have remained at the seat of Government until his Ministry had been sworn in. The fact of such wretched bungling being perpetrated in a matter of so much importance, looks rather ominous for the ultimate success of the Ministry. The Opposition Jubilant. The present Opposition are, of course, jubilant over the whole affair, and they are confident of having a certain majority against the new Ministry. The Address-in-Reply. On the Address-in-Reply they have not yet decided on their plan of action. A sort of informal meeting was held to-day, but the proceedings have been kept very quiet. I hear Mr Larnaeh has expressed his willingness to move a vote of no-confidence on the first opportunity, and there is a strong probability of its being carried, owin'g to the disfavour with which the Ministry is regarded in all directions. The Southland Members. I understand the Southland members intend giving their block vote against them, as they regard with extreme dislike an Otago-Canterbury Cabinet. It is also expected that the Nelson members will refuse to support the Ministers, while the North Island will of course be decidedly hostile in its opposition. The Ministry is simply regarded as a Grey Ministry, only that Sir Julius Vogel takes the place of Sir George Grey. Sir Julius Vogel. The large room in the Parliament buildings adjoining the press representatives' room, and known as the private bills office, it being fitted up for Sir Julius Vogel's use during the session. His health is improving, but it is feared that it will be a long time before he is able to use his legs, owing to the weakness ef his lower extremities. Lobby Gossip; There was an abundance of lobby gossip to-day. Amongst a variety of other rumours it was very freely stated that Mr F. D. Fenton, late Chief Justice of the Native Lands Court, was to be called to the Upper House and would assist Sir Geo. Whitmore on pulling the Government business through the council, but he was not to have any portfolio, assigned to him. It was also reported during the day that Capt. Morris had been offered the portfolio of Minister of Mines in the Government. I have authority for saying however no such offer has as yet been made to Capt. Morris, but the Vogel party confidently rely on his support. Chairman of Committees. Another rumour was afloat that Mr Rolleston was a candidate for the chairmanship (if committees, an office which appears to be anxiously looked after just now. The New Ministry. It has lately been generally remarked that the present Ministry is, perhaps, the most ill-assorted combination that ever held office in New Zealand. In the first pi ice, the Premier (Mr Stout) is one of the most advanced Radicals in the colony, while Sir Julius Vogel has always been regarded as a staunch Conservative, and stood for Falmouth in the Conseivativj interest during tiie period of his residence in England ; then there is Mr Montgomery, a strong opponent of borrowing ; and Mr Macaudrew, who, in a a recent speech to his constituents, said he would be no party to borrowing from English capitalists, and yet both of these veteran politicians have now allied themselves with a gentleman whose very name suggests the addition of several millions of money to our colonial indebtedness. To pursue an alliance or" this unhappy nature still further, we shall, in a few days, witness the president and vice-president of the New Zealand Freethought Association (Mr Stout and Mr Ballance), sitting on the Treasury benches with Mr Macandrew, who is a strong advocate for Bible reading in schools, and has frequently given expression to his views on that subject, both in the House and outside it. Mr Stout. Later. I have just heard that Mr Stout has chartered one of the local tug steamers at Lyttelton to bring him on to Wellington, and he is expected here to-morrow morning.

Another Adjournment Probable. It is move than pvobablc that the Govern inent will ask for another adjournment 01 Tuesday on the ground that they have nol had sufficient time to prepare their political programme for the session.