Exciting &. Unexpected Developments.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4440, 8 August 1884, Page 3

Exciting &. Unexpected Developments.

Wellington, this day

Arrival of Mr Ormond.

Mr Ormond arrived overland last night, but nothing lias transpired regarding his viow of the situation.

Grey's Star again in the Ascendant.

Since yesterday I have substantial reasons for changing my opinion regarding the person whom the Premier would name if asked by the Governor for advice. Your readers must understand there is the greatest difficulty in arriving at certain knowlegcd on this subject. Ministers keep their own counsel, and the supporters of every leader naturally believe and declare in favour of their own man ; but all seem to concur that the choice lies between Grey, Vogel, and Ormond. My own conclusion, formed by piecing together information derived from most reliable sources, is that the Ministry would name Sir George Groy as the man who should ho asked to undertake tho formation of a Government. What course, if left to himself, tho Governor might tako is not likely to be hinted at by His Excellency to anyone ; but tho belief now prevails that he will certainly not inelino to tho selection of Sir Julius Vogol. Tho obvious objection to Mr Ormond is that ho was never mentioned during the elections as a loader, and he has not a single rocognised follower.

Tho Ministerial Resignation.

Major Atkinson wont to Government House this morning to tender the resignation of the Ministry. Ho will announco the result to tho Houso when it meets this nttornoon. It is usual thon for any mombor who has been, summoned by tho Governor to riso in his placo in tho House, and stato that ho has boon asked and undertaken the formation of a Government.

Tho Coming Premier

Thero is no doubt whatever in my mind that tho loading nrticlo in this morning's " Times " reflects tho Ministerial mind, and that if tho Governor asks for advice tho Premier would recommend that Sir Georgo Groy bo sont for. In doing this Major Atkinson would consistently follow his statement in tho House last session that ho recognised no loader of tho Opposition except Sir George Grey. The estimates of election return, only give about 21 members who declared in favour of a qualified support of Sir Julius Vogol, and that, in a House of ninety-five, is insufficient to placo him in tho (>osition of recognised leader, and Major Atkinson would probably consider that ho was bound by tho position of parties in last session. My own opinion, howovor, is that tho Governor will not ask advice, and tho course ho will pursuo in furnishing himsolf with Ministers is the

inorest coujooturo.

Tho Government Organ States Sir George Grey's Claims.

Tho "Now Zealand Times" of this morning, discussing tho .situation, says: "Tho Ministry will, if possible, avoid giving tho Governor any ndvico regarding thoir successors." It then proceeds to ask how His Excellency, if left alono, is to decido upon the propor course to take. Ho cannot go about and Inquire how many members aro favourable to a particular londor, and must look to tho former position of parties. Tho >' Times " concludes by declaring that Sir (Icorge Groy is tho only man who can unite tlio Opposition, and that ho ought to bo permitted nn opportunity of attempting to form a Government.

Party Intrigues and Plans.

In this connection I am assured that tho statement that Sir Georgo Grey nnd Mr Dargaville met Sir Julius Vogel on Tuesday is positively untrue, and that thoy havo hold no communication whatever directly with him sinco they camo to WellingtonNegotiations havo, howovor, been carried on by Mr J. C. Brown, who is enthusiastic for a Groy-Vogel combination. Mr Ballance also favours it, and Mr Stout has taken part, expressing tho opinion that thoro is no material divergence betweon tho opinions of tho two londors, both being agreed upon the main question of tho substitution of a land tax for a property tax.

Sir Georgo Grey a Stumbling Stone,

Thero is among the Opposition, howovor' a section who Uneaten to withdraw if Sir George Groy is taken into coalition, anj Mr Stout's alternative .suggestion that a meeting be hold and a leader elected, tho minority submitting to the majority, hu s not proved acceptable. Negotiations have so far absolutely conio to nothing, and if Sir George Groy or Sir Julius Vogel wero summoned by tho Govornor, their hands would be absolutely free in chosing col'eagues. Somo of Sir Georgo Grey's supporters, notably Mr Dargaville, favoured a Grey-Atkinson combination ; but this alsoi I believo, has rosultod in nothing, thcro being likewise ajsection of irreconcilable miti-Greyites among Major Atkinson's supporters. At present, therefore, whoever may bo chosen to form a Ministry will enter upon tho task untied. LATER. Wellington, 2 p.m. I am ablo to say positively that tho Government will adviso His Excellency to ask Sir Geo. Groy to form a Ministry, in tho event of their advice being asked. His Excellency will not, of his own choice, send for Sir Julius Vogel; but it is by many believed that ho will ask for direction from his Responsible Advisers, in the absence of any data whereupon he might arrive at an independent conclusion. Sir George Grey will therefore probably havo tho task of forming a Government entrusted to him. SIR JULIUS VOGEL STILL LAME. Sir Julius Vogel was wheeled down to tho Houso to-day.