POLITICAL RUMOURS.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 61, 10 September 1881, Page 2

POLITICAL RUMOURS.

Various rumours are afloat iv respect to the political events towering in tho immediate future. The Premier has already promised that ho will Btate to tho House on Monday what business the Government will proceed with this session, and what they purpose to drop. We understand that this question is under the careful consideration of the Cabinet to-day. It may be conjectured that the Government will probably go on with the two Railway Bills, the Property Tax, the Succession Duties, the Native Reserves, and perhaps the Leaseholders' Qualification Bill, if the House displays any favourable inclination towards that measure. Other bills may bo proposed to be gone on with, but we very much doubt whether any beyond the mere formal ones will have any show of passing. The House is utterly weary, although the_ session has only lasted just three months, instead of four or five as it used to do. Parties are disorganized and demoralized. Members yearn to got away and begin their electioneering campaign. Both sides agree that it will be almost imposssible to " keep a House" longer than another fortnight, and the week after next is talked of for the prorogation. There is a rumour of the Opposition refusing to grant more than three months' supplies, with a view of forcing an early election and a short special summer session, in order that the results of the election may have instant effect should any marked altei ation bo produced in the relative strength of parties. We doubt, however, the likelihood of this idea being carried out, as it would mean much fighting, and iavolve protraction of the session. Then, again, it will take some considerable time to prepare the new electoral rolls under the Representation Act, and we do not see how the elections can take place very much before the new year. There are also rumours of intended action on Mr. Ormond's part adverse to the Government, but nothing definite has transpired on this head, and we are not inclined to attach much credence to the report. The session is practically moribund, and the Parliament too, so that Want ot Confidence motions do not stand much chance of obtaining consideration.