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

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1895, 28 August 1884, Page 2

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

Major Atkinson's Movements. Wellington, Wednesday Night. The new Ministry has not yet been formed, all reports to the contrary notwithstanding. The keenest interest has been taken all day in the movements of Major Atkinson, and all hides have Agreed that the Major's task is by no means a light one. Several sets of Ministers have been made in the Lobbies during the day, but as a matter of fact up to the time of writing (11 p.m.) absolutely nothing definite has been derided upon. In proof of this, as you will observe from the Press Association report of to-night's proceedings in the House, Major Atkinson was forced to apply for another adjournment; till to-morrow evening, in order to consider the situation fully before he made up his Cabinet.

Mr Ormond Asked to Join the Government. I have it on good authority that Major Atkinson ia negotiating with Mr Ormond, at Napier, with the object of inducing him to accept a portfolio in the new Ministry, but with what success I have not as yet been able to learn. It was also said that Mr Ormond had the first offer of a portfolio. There is, of course, some uncertainty in consequence of his well-known disinclination to take office, but there is a strong dehire expressed that Mr Onnond's wellknown Ministerial experience and business capacity should be brought to bear, so as to bring the present wretched state of affairs to a close.

Captain Russell. Captain Russell's name has also been freely mentioned as a most likely man for Native Minister, and his name is included in the list in to-night's Post of probable Ministers.

The Probable Ministry. Taking all the circumstances into consideration, I think the following list will be ■ )inething like the correct thing when the numbers are up : — Major Atkinson, Messrs Ormond (or Captain Russell), Wakefield, Fulton, Mitchelson, and Hursthouse, with the hon. George McLean in the Upper House. It is not the intention to fill the office of Attorney-General immediately, although I understand negotiations are in progress for obtaining the assistance of MV Tole with that object, so as to conciliate the Grey party. Considerable opposition is t>hown to Mr Wakefield having a „ seat in the Ministry, but it is urged that his undoubted debating powers will be of material assistance to the Government, and there is further a growing feeling that his long Parliamentary experience almost entitles him to a trial in a Ministerial capacity. I hear Messrs > Mitchelaon and Hursthouse are perfectly willing to stand aside if bett3r men can be obtained. There is a rumour to-night that the new Ministry will be attacked by a no-confidence motion on going into Committee of Supply, which will have to be done either to-morrow or I^riday, as the present appropriations cease at the end of this month. The impression amongst the Stout Vogel party is that this may be their only opportunity for directly challenging the position of the Miuistiy, as an ordinary notice of motion will probably be kept at the bottom of the paper, aud not allowed to come up before the end of the Resbion.

[ Sir Julius Vogel. I understand Sir Julius Vogel has declared he will be no paity to attacking Ministers in an underhand manner before they have had an opportunity of bringing down their policy. His party, however, are determined to make things very lively for the new occupants of the Treasury on account of the short shrift which wa& shown to their predecebForb in office.

Major Atkinson and Mr Stout. Last night Major Atkinson had an interview with Mr Stout to ascertain whether any basis of union could be found between them, with a view to a coalition. Major Atkinson's proposal was that the Canterbury members should select any two men they chose as members of the Cabinet, provided Sir J. Vogel was not one of the chosen. Mr Stout thereupon stated that the only terms on which he would agiee to d, coalition were that he should have the option of selecting four members of the Ministry, including himself and Sir J. Vogel, that Major Atkinson should alho nominate four members, and that the House should be asked to sanction the appointment of the additional Minister. Mr Stout further demanded that his party should ha\e the right to nominate the members of the Ministry with poitfolio. Major Atkinson refined at once to agree to these conditions, and the matter was left o\er until he consulted his party. Another meeting took place this morning, when Mr Stout informed Major Atkinson that he could not modify his proposal in any way. Major Atkinson then stated that his supporters distinctly refused to have anything to do with any Ministry of which Sir J. Vogel was a member. The negotiations weie thus brought to an abrupt termination, as neither would give way to the other.

Sir George Grey's Attitude. Major Atkinson afterwards interviewed Sir G. Grey, to ascertain the attitude he intended to assume towards the Ministry. Sir George raised the question of a land tax, but Major Atkinson gave it as hid opinion that neither he nor any other Government could carry out a land tax at present. There was no definite conclusion arrived at.

Stout-vogel Caucus. At a meeting of the Stout- Vogel party, held during the morning, about 32 being present, Mr Stout informed the meeting that the negotiations between Major Atkinson and himself had been broken off m consequence of the refusal of the former to coalesce with Sir J. Vogel. It was then almost unanimouly decided that those present should stick to the Stout- Vogel combination, there being only two or three dissentients.

The Grey Party. At two o'clock this afternoon a meeting of the Grey party was held, attended by 14 members. After some discussion on the land tax and other questions, it was resolved by the meeting that it was undesirable to decide on any particular course of action until the new Ministry was formed. They would then be in a better position to say whether or not they would support it.

Opposition Caucus. Late in the afternoon a caucus of those members who voted against the StoutVogel Ministry was ee-uvened by Major Atkinson, and met in the Opposition whip's room. About 50 attended, .and a few others were "accounted for," which is the stereotyped expression used on such occasions. Mr J. W. Thomson, the mover of the no-confidence amendment, \ras voted to the chair. The proceedings, I understand, were of a very cordial character. Of course it was fully understood that those present were not absolutely pledged to support any Government formed by Major Atkinson, and Mr Gillies and Mr J, 0, Smith made a few remarks to this effect, but the faot of so many members accepting Major Atkinson's invitation showed at any rate no unfriendly feeling towards him. During the courne of the meeting, Mr Rolleston and Mr Bryce said thejr had no desire to hamper Major Atkinson in any way in forming his Cabinet, and they wished him to act quite freely in selecting his colleagues.

A Lobby Joke. The latest joke in the lobbies is that Major Atkinson, Mr Fulton, and some other members were accidentally locked in the whip's room last night while engaged in forming a Ministry, and having vainly endeavoured to mak« themselves heard had to effect their exit' by means of one of the windows. The curious part of the affair is that exactly the same thing happened in the same room to Sir J. Vogel, Mr Montgomery and Mr Macandrew while engaged in the same work about a fortnight ago, the only difference in the latter case being that the door had to be forced with a crow-bar by Mr Seddon, as Sir Julius was unable to leave the room by any other means than the door. The affair at the time was regarded as significant of the fate of the Ministry. It remains to be seen whether it will have any such blighting effect on the prospects of the qe.w Qove.rnment,

The Relieving Officer, at Auckland, imites tenders for the supply of rations for the sirk and destitute *t Hamilton. Mr J. S. Buclcland will hold an important sale at Ohaupo on Tuesday next, the 2nd September, when he will submit a large number of cattle of all descriptions on account of various vendors whose qamos arp f Ivpn, Luncheon will be pror vided. Also, at tb.e same plapp, tyro Champion drills. Mr Buckland reminds our readers that the sale of Mr R. Brjfdley's furnlturo'aud effects at Hamilton, will take place tomorrow (Friday), j