POLITICAL NEWS. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1892, 21 August 1884, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS. [BY TELEGRAPH.— SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

The No-confidence Motion. Wellington, Wednesday Night. Considerable surpnse was cieated in the House this afternoon when, Mr J. W. Thomson, the member for Clutha, gave notice that he intended mining the amendment to the Address-inrßeply. The matter had been kept a profound secret by the Opposition. It only leaked out this moming that Mr Thomson had consented to move the amendment, and it was generally supposed that Mr Larnach would bo the choice of the Opposition. Although several other names were mentioned, Mr Thomson was considered a most unlikely man, mainly because of his long political connectien with Mr Macandrew, and being also a former colleague of his in the Grey Ministry. It has transpired, however, that Mr Thomson is greatly disappointed with the present combination, and has taken the earliest opportunity of testing their strength in the House.

The Address-in-Reply. The debate on the Address-iu-Reply was commenced to night by Mr McKenzie, member for Mount Ida, who irade an admit able speech, and gave expression to his views on taxation, local government and other leading questions, in a very able manner. He received the usual consideration accorded to a young member, and applause from fill sides of the House on i esnining hifa seat. Mr Bevan had consented to second the Addiess, but afterwards declined the task, and Mr Walker, the member for Ashbmton, who is generally known as Sir Julius Vogel's whip, was chosen in his place. He also succeeded fairly well, and leceived an attentive healing.

Mr Thomson's Amendment. Mr Thomson's speech in moving the amendment was a short but decidedly effective onp. Before proceeding to ciiticise the composition of the Ministry he expressed rogiet at having to take up the position of moving an Adverse vote against them, as several ot them were not only personal friends of long standing, but also old colleagues of his own. Refeinngto the divergence of opinion on many questions between Sir Julius Vogel and Mr Stout, Mr Thomson said the Piemier was a great believer m land nationalisation, which his present colleague, Sir Julius. Vogel, had charactei ised .is unmitigated humbug. He also said thai Sir Julius Vogel was a Tory of the old school, while Mr Stout was a Radical of the Radicals. Mr Thomson's* quaint remarks, as to the shoit life which the Ministry was doomed to have weie received with hearty laughter. Mr Hatch, the seconder of the amendment, had been ticketed as a supporter of Ministets, but he has thrown up his allegiance and intends to support the Opposition.

The Opposition Majority. The Opposition majority is vaiiously estimated at from 8 to 15 or 16. I hear that two or three members who had expressed theii intention to suppoit Ministers intimated to them this afternoon that they would vote against them. The Government whip acknowledges that he can only reckon 42 certain votes, which, of couise, would be .six short of a bare majority, but the Opposition confidently htate that, allowing for doubtfuls, they will be in a majoiity of 10, and Ministers seem to consider their position almost hopeless. Sir Julius Vogel was caiefully ticking off a division list this afternoon, evidently looking for a majority. As far ab present «ippearancos go, it looks like a complete coll.ipse of thepiesent Ministerial party, a-, defections ate taking place almost daily.