PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 901, 25 July 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

(From the Dunedin Dailies.) Wellington, July 17th. A caucus of the Opposition was held today, when -il members were accounted for. U was resolved that Sir William Fox should move an amendment on tne Address, expressing direct want of confidence on administrative grounds. This will be done to-nk'ht. The debate will probably last all next week, and it is said that Ministers will Sr.ek every possible means to prolong the agony. lhat they are at present in .a minority is admitted on all hands. To-day the Hon. Mr Macandrew, on behalf of the Ministry, had an interview with Sir M illiam Fox on the subject of the Loan Bill. Full explanations were entered into, and correspondence produced, including a letter from the Rank of Now Zealand, intimating its willingness if absolutely necessary to advance a sum not exceeding LdOO.OdO, but declining to go beyond this. The result of the interview is understood to have been a pledge from .Sir William Fox that if tho loan Hill was pout down by message from the (taverner, 1 lie Opposition Would not oppose its immediate passage. The tiovernor is also staled to ho now willing to assent to the Bill, without wailing a reply to the Address. 0.10 p,m. Mr I ox has now been an hour speaking,

hut so far has said nothing remarkable or new. There has been plenty of gesticulation and shrieking, hut very little solid argument. Mr Joyce has interrupted him several times on absurd points of order, and has consequently been “ sat.upon. ” Mr Shanks spoke very briefly and hesitatingly. Mr Reeves, who seconded the motion instead of Mr Muss, only said a few words in a very loud voice. July ISth. Ministers openly admit they are in a minority, their only chance being a dissolution or Sir George Grey’s resignation. There are still hopes of the latter. Indeed, it was reported to-day that Sir George Grey had partially agreed to do so. The most extraordinary story of all is now obtaining currency, namely that the Ministerial followers will he marshalled and told ofl’ for a spell of “ stonewalling,” during which they are to use all forms and practices and every possible device to impede business and waste time. ‘ It is a'so rumoured that Sir George Grey, after opening the debate, will ship off in the Hinemoa and stump all the constituencies possible ami so inflame public opinion that many members will have to yield to the pressure of their constituents, and turn round and support Sir George Grey. The reports are much doubted. July 19th. . The debate last n’ght fell very flat, notwithstanding the virulence of Sir W. Fox and Sir George Grey’s evident intensity of personal feeling. Mr Joyce interrupted Sir W. Fox several times on absurd points of order, and was put down by tho Speaker. Mr Shrimski also onep interrupted Sir George Grey, to protest against some interjection of Sir W. Fox’s, hut was also put down. The Speaker had during the sitting to once or twico rule certain expressions of the speakers unparliamentary. Mr Rolleston was fearfully solemn and funereal. Decidedly the host speech of the night was made by Mr Moss. The Opposition seemed to wish to force on the debate, and so it came about that Mr Seymour George had jto move the adjournment. Sir W. Fox I wanted the debate to he continued till 1 Monday ; hut after consultation with his | whips, ho did not persist in the demand. I At one time it looked as if there was going I to be a preliminary division on this point. Sir George Grey spoke with wonderful con- ! lidence in an appeal to tho country, and a ; strong opinion prevails for believing that I he has sounded the Governor on the subject. : That tho division will he against the Minis- . try is absolutely beyond doubt, hut the majority may not he more than seven or eight. The dissatisfaction with Sir \V. Fox which exists amongst a large section of the Opposition, was greatly intensified by his speech last night. Ho made immense fun out of the Grey-liallancu quarrel. The debate will probably last all next week. The Government are determined not to ho hurried to a division, and although the Opposition say they do not intend to talk much, no doubt a large number of them will find it necessary to explain their reasons for the votes they will give. I Mr Wakefield is evidently primed for a great speech. There have been no caucuses to-day, nor is there anything particular stirring, i The prospect of Insular Separation is I again revived by the I’ress, contingent on i Auckland claims not being duly recognised, j or her interests represented in any new administration, Mr Howe states that ho will, not vote for the no-con lidence motion against the present Ministry, and will not aid any (.arty opposed to the vigorous prosecution of the Thame l '-Waikato Railway. The Christchurch Star of July 19lh says —“ We are in a position to say that the Governor will grant a dissolution, and that Sir George Gley’s Government will appeal to the. Liberal electors of the country in the event of the Parliamentary defeat which is now ceitain. July 22nd. Tho policical atmosphere continues in a most disturbed state. Rumours of all kinds abound, but most of them are the most absolute nonsense. The Government wish to prolong the debate as much as possible, but the Opposition avow their readiness to divide at any moment, and decline to follow the usual custom of putting man for man. They say they do not wish to prolong tho agony, and will only put up men when there is some thing worth replying to. Mr Wakefield is holding hack to follow Mr Sheehan. Probably each Minister who speaks will ho replied to. and that is all. Under these circumstances the debate can scarcely he prolonged beyond to-morrow night. This afternoon's debate was not particulary interesting. Mr George waived his right of speaking, and his colleague, Mr Baiff, took up the running, and declared strongly against theGovornment. Dr Wallis spoke at groat length and in favour of the policy of the Government, hut he declared strongly in favour of a dissolution as the only means of putting things right. He said if Sir W. Fox and Sir G. Grey came to him as a medical man he would ask each of them to put out his tongue, and after tho experience of Friday night would exclaim, “ Oh, what foul tongues Mr Gisborne made a rather dreary speech up to the adjournment.