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

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1897, 2 September 1884, Page 2

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

The Position.^-Mr Stout's Troubles. Wellington, Monday Night. The political situation appears to be getting more hopelessly coin plicated than ever, and Mr Stout is experiencing probably more difficulty in forming a Cabinet than any of she other leaders had to contend with. In the first place several of Sir Julius • Vogal's Can tei bury supporters, amongst them Messrs Harper, Garrick and Walker, stiongly insist on Sir Julius' right to the Piomiership of the new Ministty, whilst Mr Stout's more immediate followers are equally determined to put their leader in that position, and in fact regard Sir Julius' claim to the Premiership as an unwarrantable piece of assumption. Further. Mr Stout is strongly in favour of Mr Macandrew'b holding a. portfolio in the Ministry, on the ground of his being acceptable to the majority of the people of Otago, but Mr Macandrew, as in the former instance, will only consent on condition that Mr Montgomery is included. If Mr Stout should give way on these points, it is a matter of certainty that this Ministry will be strangled almost at its butli, for it is a well-known fact that one of the chief causes of the disastrous defeat of the late StoutVogel Cabinet was because it contaiued two such visionary and played-out politicians as Mr Macandrew and Mr Montgomery.

What will Sir George Say? A fuither source of trouble is the attitude Sir George (irey is likely to assume towaids the new Ministry. I hear he promises to support them, provided they pledge not to renew the Canterbury leases, a subject which has been such a bugbear to him for years past. Another condition of his support is that one of his party is offered a seat in the Cabinet.

Atkinson Caucus. A caucus of the Atkinson party was held this morning in the Premier's room. About thirty-three attended, and Mr Hamlin was voted to the chair. The meeting was convened by Major Atkinson for the purpose of laying befoie bis supporteis the terms for coalition proposed yesterday by Mr Stout.

The Coalition Proposals. The terms, I understand, were that a sent in the Cabinet was olfeiecl to Majoi Atkinson, but he would not be allowed to hold the portfolio either of Piemier or Tic.i«»iirer. Two other portfolios were also to bo offered to other members of the party. A very lengthy discussion ensued, lasting nearly two houib, dining the course of which those present expressed themselves in pietty plain terms as to che coalition piopos.ils, which they considered almost an insult to Major Atkinson and the party, and it was generally felt that Mr Stout had deliberately f tamed the proposals in such a iranner that they could not possibly be accepted by the party, and the following jesolution was passed unanimously: — "That an endeavour having been made for the sake of expediting public business to bring about a coalition with the Stout- Vogel party on the basis of tour being selected on either fide, and this having been refused, that no terms which are ieasonable or which do not involve a gieat sacrifice of principle having been offered, this party do not see the'r way to accept the pi oposah* for coalition." Major Atkinson afterwards had an interview with Sir Julius Vogel and Mr Stout, and informed them that all hope of a coalition was at an end, as his party, though honesty endeasovring to bung about an amalgamation, could not possibly accept the terms, proposed.

Ths Attitude of the Atkinson Party. I learn, however, that they will not offei any hostile opposition to the new Ministry until they have had an opportunity of bi mgmg down their policy, and it is unlikely that any organised opposition will be offered this hession.

The New Ministry. It is not yet known who are to have poitfolios in the new GdbniPt. Besides Su Julius Vogel .uid Mr Stout, Messrs Ballance, Sfciiw.tid, Mc Kenzie (Mount Ida), and Tole aie mentioned. I hear al&o, Sir Julius Vogel i& anxious to .secuie Capt. Russell, and ,1 poitfolio will probably be offered to him if he caies to accept it. Theift is some talk of providing Mr Richardson with a seat in the Upper House as a balaried Minister, though, of cour&e, not as Minister for Public "Works,. It is very unlikely Sir Cieoige Whitmoie will be in the new team. Mr Buckley, of Wellington, is ssnid to have a better chance, as he would probably bring with him the maiority of thb Wellington votes.

Precautions against Grey. A strong- effort is being made by members on both sides of t!.e House to checkmate any ulterior designs Sir George Grey may luve on the new Ministry. With this object in view, a requisition has been diaun up pledging members to support any Mmistiy that might be formed at present until they have had a full oppoitumty foi declai ing their policy. It is proposed to obtain the signatures of thirty members, fifteen from each side of the House, and several names have already been attached to the requisition.

The Probabilities of the Future. There is no truth whatever in the rumour that Mr Stout has been promised a dissolution in the event of his failing to form a Ministry that would he acceptable to the Hou->e. I hear the Governor will not grant any dissolution till seveial other combinations have been tried.

THE PROBABLE MINISTRY. Latei. Nothing definite has yet been decided ah to the new MinKtry, but Mr Stout expects to have them ready to meet the Houic tomorrow. The following aie not unlikely to be in the Cabinet : —Sir Julius Vogel, Mes-513 Stout, Ballsmce, Richardson, Larnach (or Reynold*.), Tola (or Capt. Morris), with Mr Buckley in the Upper House.