POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 53, 13 October 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[PHOM OCR OWN COBBESI'ONDBNT.j Wellington, last night.

Of course there has been much speculation as to whether the Ministry as unofficially announced will stand for any length df time, and many have expressed the opinion that a better selection qould have been made. Already there has been hints of an almost immediate vote of confidence being moved by the Opposition, but there fa not much probability of it being carried. An open dislike is shown to Atkinson as a leader, and if there could be found another as able to take the lead the Ministry would find themselves in nd enviable position. Atkinson has greatly strengthened himself by the appointment of Whitaker and Stevens. On the opening of the House on Tuesday night Mr Graham was sworn in. He has a of doing a deal of good for the East Coast, but it is feared he will join hands with Ormond, and if so it will militate against his chances. The final allocation of the portfolios ia as follows Atkinson: Treasury, Customs, Marine; Trade, Stamps, and Post-Office; Hislop: Colonial Secretary; Fergus: Justice and DefenceMitohefaon: Works and Native Office; Fisher: Education; Richardson i Lands, Mines, and Immigration ; Whitaker;

Attorney-General, Stevens fa in the Ministry without portfolio. After the Addresa-in-Reply the House Will adjourn for a fortnight, when the Budget will be brought forwardThe report that Maior-Genefdl Sir George Whitmore baa intimated his willingness to continue hia present duties aa Officer Commanding the New Zealand Forces without salary ia occasioning much speculation >n both military and political circles as to the true motive that has actuated our only General in making this surprising offer It is well known that magnanimity is not a prominent trait in hia character, and therefore people cannot bring themselves to believe that it waa generosity that prompted him to make the offer. Half-a-dozen members were discussing the question in the street yesterday when one of them gravely stated that it was in his opinion a purely patriotic spirit that prompted Sir George Whitmore to make eo generous an offer. The idea of Sir George Whitmore doing anything from a patriotic motive ao overwhelmed the other five that it was with difficulty that two o £ them could save theffiaelyea from dropping to the ground from exhaustion, ao heartily did they laugh. The general opinion ia that Sir George Whitmore is trying to avert the possibility of getting notice to quit, as most assuredly he would have. It is an open question whether it would not be better to pay him to keep away froffi military matters, as it is asserted by many that he is worse than useless.

LATER. OPINION ON GOVERNOR’S SPEECH,

RETRENCHMENT 1. CROWN LANDS AND NATIVE LAND LEGISLATION. CARROLL TO THE FRONT. ADDBESS-iN-REPLY. REPEAL OF NATIVE LAND ACT. VOTE OF NO-CONFIDENCE. The Governor’s speech has been received with general commendation, and the - majority of the members will approve of the three main proposals—retrenchment, improving Crown land laws, and dealing with the Native land question. With regard to the latter subject members of both races who are moat directly affected are proposing to hold a meeting to discuss the question, and very probably an important decision will be come to and that Carroll may act as mouthpiece of the meeting. The member for the East Coast has sprung into prominence by being asked to move the Address-in-Reply to-morrow. Mr McGregor, of Akaroa, will second it. The position of the mover is rather an onerous one,

Taipua baa given notice to move the repeal of the Native Land Administration Act,

It Is reported that a vote of no-confidence will be moved immediately, but it is any odds that the Ministry will hold office.