PARLIAMENTARY INCIDENTS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1069, 30 November 1877, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY INCIDENTS.

PROSPECTIYE MINISTERIAL CHANGES. [peoji the coeeespondent op the peess.] Wellington, November 29. It is understood that Mr Larnach and Mr Fisher will retire in favor of Mr Montgomery and Mr Ballance ; also, that the Government will bring down a Bill enabling the addition of an eighth member of the Executive to be made, without salary. Sir George Grey, being unable to draw salary on account of pension, would not be affected, and he would have seven salaried Ministers, Mr Stout being the one for whom the addition is intended, as Attorney- General. The Waste Lands Boards Continuance Bill passed through all its stages this afternoon, continuing present members of Boards until some further Act he passed. Major Atkinson has had the question of Ministers relinquishing the Government residences during session referred to the Public Accounts Committee. It is said that the late Ministers have been charged rent ever since their resignation. The usual course formerly has been to allow them to occupy the residences till the end of the session, and Sir George Grey himself said they would not be interfered with for a reasonable time.

The Government is likely to be defeated on another main feature of their policy, the reduction of Ministers’ salaries. The House will be some time in committee on the Land Bill. To-night I heard that Mr Stout is going to bring on again the question of Canterbury leases, which was considered settled.