PARLIAMENTARY NOTES. Opening of Parliament.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2160, 13 May 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES. Opening of Parliament.

[by telegraph. —our special rkportkr.] Wellington', Wednesday Night. The close proximity of the opening of Parliament does not seem as yet to have made any perceptible difference in the appearance of the Empire City. The town in fact looks particulaily dull for this time of the year, but no doubt when all the menibeiH of both Houses arrive, together with the usual ho->t of sessional v isitorn, the advent of the Parliamentaiy season, to which Wellington lebidents look forward so anxiously, will be more fully appreciated. Several members arrived to-day by the Hinemoa and Penguin, but a Luge propor 3 tion will not be in their places till next week, when the business of the session commences. As far as the prospects of the session are concerned, it is, of couise, too early as yet to form any estimate, but there is no doubt that the position of parties is somewhat altered since last session, Mr Scobie Mackenzie and Mr Allwtight haximr gone into the Opposition ranks. Mr Seddon also, by his recent utterances, is regarded as an Oppositionist. Mininteis tbem->el\es admit | that their position is weaker than last year, and one of them has frankly stated that on a question of direct no-confidence the Government will not be able to hold their own. It is at present impossible to say what effect this will have on the Opposition as led by Major Atkinson, but many incline to the opinion that the Major has no chance whatever of successfully le.iding a party during the continuance of the present Parliament. There are also so many ways by which votes can be squared nowadays, that it would not be surprising if the present minority in which the Government Apparently Are should be turned into sufficient majority to tide them over the session. Rumour has it that Ministers will not submit to have their measures torn to pieces as was the oase last year, but the Premier told the House a similar story half-a-dozen times last session, and still found the sweets of office too enticing to surrender the benches to his opponents. I understand the Financial Statement is quite ready for delivery at an early date, and if there should be no amendment on the Addreas-in-Reply, Sir Julius Vogel intends bringing down his Budget on Tuesday, the 25th inst. The other Government measures are all said to bo in a forward state of preparation, so that the House will have abundance of work to go on with. Mr Stout is auxious to have the Addressin -Reply debated on Friday but the House is not likely to consent to this and the usual adjournment to Tuesday will probably be taken. The prevalent opinion in political ciicles here is that there will be no dissolution this year, or at any rate till a new Representation Act is passed, which would be based on the present census returns. It is understood that the Governor's speech to-morrow will shadow forth the Government policy in an unmistakably decisive manner, and it is freely stated by those who are in the confidence of Ministers if they are beaten on any vital measure the Government will at once ask for a dissolution. There is just now considerable speculation on the probabilities of another alteration in the tariff this .session, and in consequence of tho uncertainty on this point Boma of the Wellington merchants are clearing out their stocks of tea and other goods which would probably be affected by the change.