POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2892, 27 January 1891, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

THE NEW .MINISTRY.

(IIY TELEGRAPH — Sl'Kf'lAt. ('OHItHSI'ON'nKNr). Wkm.ixaros, List Night. Tim swearing in of the new Ministry took place on Saturday, and the members of the lata Government having vacated their position, that morning their .;ncccssors at once took possession of their ofliccs in the Treasury buildings. The portfolios were allotted as follows Mr Ijali.astk, Premier, Treasurer, Native Affairs. Mr IJl'cki.ky, Attorney-! ieneral and Colonial Secretary. Mr John McKkn/.ib, Lands and Agriculture. Mr Skddon, Minns and I'cfence, and possibly Public Works. Mr W. P. IiKKVK.-i, K Jiicatioii and .Justice. Mr Waup, without a portfolio. The only seat in the Cabinet that remains mmlloted is that of the Auckland Minister and the names of Mr Goldie, Mr Cadinan Mr Kelly are being still mentioned as likely men for the ollice. Mr Cadinati lias tindoubtly the strongest claim on the partv, but the idea appears to be that if Mr Goldie is persuaded to throw in his lot with the new Government it might be the means of securing the votes of some of the retrenchment men who up to the present have supported the Atkinson party. The opinion is pretty gitiarally expressed that Mr Ballanca has secured a stronger team than was expected of him and that they at any rate deserve a fair trial. Tho Times this morning speaks vigorously on the new Ministry, as did tho I'ost on Saturday. Mr Goldie is expected here to-morrow, and I am informed that at a Cabinet meeting held this morning it was resolved to leave in the hands of the party the choice of a candidate for the chairmanship of committees. A caucus was held, and the names of Messrs Eisher and W. C. Smith were laid before the party, resulting in the election of Mr Smith. Mr Palmer, after attending, left, stating that he thought Major Hamlin was not being well treated. Numbers of members will be led outside of party consideration to vote for Mr Hamlin. Mr Smith is considered even by members of his own party to have few qualifications, and is unpopular. THE RAILWAY SERVANTS. it was decided mi Saturday evening at a meeting of about 30 members that a deputation should wait upon the Railway Commissioners and urge that the employees dismissed from the service during the recent strike should be re-instated. Tho deputation will also lay before tho Commissioners certain other grievances of the employees and the interview is to take place in a few days. CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES. At a caucus of the Government party held this morning it was decidcd to support Mr W. C. Smith, the member for Waipawa, for the chairmanship of committees. A keen party fight is expected as the present Opposition will run Major Hamlin, who has discharged the duties of chairman admirably since 18S2.

(liY TELEGRAPH —OWN' COItItEKPONDKNT). Auckland, Lust Night. The Star correspondent wires to-day thsit politicians are having a brief rest after tho excitement of tho first few days. Everybody is waiting for the appointment of the Auckland minister, and that will bo held over till Mr Goldie's arrival. Home think that it is meant to appoint Mr ({oldie himself, but from what tlm Hon. B:\llance stated to me his arrival is awaiterl to see whether Mr Kelly or Mr Cadnian is more acceptable to the Auckland members. The Government intend to insist on a short session at present with the prorogation to the ordinary time of meeting about the beginning of April. They will not allow themselves to be forced into a hurried declaration of their policy as time is wanted to enquire into the real state of the country they not being prepared to abide by Sir H. Atkinson's statement alone. Whon they meet, the House again they will be prepared to submit a policy for the new financial year. The present Opposition declare that they cannot allow the government to retain office without proclaiming their intentions and will fight hard to force such a .statement.

(HY TELEGRAPH— KRESS ASSOCIATION). Wellington, Last Xight. The newly-elected speaker, Mr W. J. Steward, was presented to His Excellency the Governor, in due form to day by the Hon. 11. Seddon. Mr Jackson Palmer has agreed to move the Address-in-Reply iu tho House of Kapresentatives, and Mr Pinkerton will second it. Tha probability of tho Ministry making appointments to the Council is much canvassed, arid the names of Sir M. O'Rnrke, Messrs 1 larnach, Montgomery, Richardson, and Major Kemp (native) are freely mentioned, but so far the matter has not been discussed by tho Cabinet. Hon. R. Seddon this morning suspended temporarily the regulation under which policemen are moved arbitrarily from one station to another. The Ministers have taken over the Private Secretaries of their predecessors. Mr Waldgrave joins the Hon. Mr Reeves, Mr Hanmer, the Hon. R. Seddon, Mr Govett, Hon. P. Buckley, and Mr Smith, the Premier.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.— COPYRIGHT.) Sydney, January Ufi. The Telegraph deprecates Lord Onslow's reply to the deputation re the appointments to the Legislative Council, and condemns the action of the lata Government in making the appointments.