LAST NIGHT’S POLITICAL NEWS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XIV, Issue 1154, 23 July 1879, Page 5

LAST NIGHT’S POLITICAL NEWS.

(By Telegraph From Our Oxm Correspondent.)

Wellington, July 22, 7 p.m. The debate on the amendment to the Address in reply still goes on, and probably will throughout the week. The Opposition would like to go to a division at once, but this is not likely to be permitted until the country is aroused as to what action may be expected from the Fox regime, and the Opposition declare, in the event of the defeat of Government, that the Governor will not grant a dissolution, but Ministerialists say they know nothing on the subject, and that the time for a consideration of dissolution has not yet arrived.

The Times this morning urges the Premier to resign, but the Premier will fight to the end, see the result, and then perchance ask for a dissolution in case of defeat. Mr Eowe, declaring for the Ministry, of course makes two difference of a side, and the timid will walk over to the side of the strong. All is conjecture, and nothing is known save this, that nothing will be lost in tactics or ability on the Government side. The Chronicle and New Zealander both advocate dissolution. The Chronicle this evening on the subject, asserts that immediately the Sovereign or Viceroy refuses to accept advice tendered by the responsible Ministers, then the Sovereign or the Viceroy may do atrocious wrong, and for that wrong the Sovereign or Viceroy alone is responsible, and that the Sovereign or Viceroy, ceasing to be a constitutional ruler, becomes practically a despot. The Grey Government, having no chance of obtaining a dissolution last session, acted wisely in utilising the existing parliament to the best advantage. The Zealander this morning is equally clear on this head, stating the Crown, whether by its own action or by that of its Representative, deciding that a Cabinet or a Ministry does or does not possess the confidence of the people, introduces its action and influence into the domain which exclusively belongs to the people. The question has now assumed this form: At home a dissolution is granted when asked for by the Ministry; in the Colonies it is left to the Governor’s caprice. Is Grey to fight out the question of whether the Imperial Parliament is to be followed in the colonies, or are governors to have powers in expess of those exercised by the Crown ? The calling of a mass meeting here on Thursday evening, for the purpose of forming a Liberal Association, will act materially in favor of Government, as the action will be emulated doubtless through the other chief centres of population. Wires are to be kept open, and a large staff of reporters employed, so that results may appear through the Colony in Friday’s papers. The publication of J. C. Richmond’s letter, commenting harshly on Fox’s causing the Maori evil on the West Coast, is opportune and important, as fixing the stigma on the man who should bear the evil onus.

The following paragraph appears in the Times this morning, which is too good not to send, but whether it is meant for a joke or not is unknown, but the Post does not so regard it:—“We understand the interests of the colony are likely to be placed in the hands of a powerful Middle Party ; the leadership has been offered and accepted by J. E. Brown, and the party already numbers some seven or eight influential members. The most prominent names which have reached us yet are Shrimski, Murray, Turnbull, and two or three others of equally high standing and reputation.” The Post comments in this manner : “ The newly-found “ Middle Party ” under command of J. E. Brown, the member for Ashley, have decided that when the division is taken on Sir Wm. Fox’s “ want of confidence ” motion they will walk out of the House. By doing so they show that they do not agree with either party, but that wish to oppose neither. If the middle Party comprised, say Manders, Barff, J. S. Macfarlane; and a few more of the same kind, it would form a happy Party. Brown wanted, when the Grey Ministry was' formed, to be made Minister of Public Works, as he has some Yankee craze in his head about Railways Construction and Traffic. On failing in this he wanted to be called to the Upper House, but this also, like Wakefield’s seat in the Ministry that he crouched and fawned for, was not given. . Your Marlborough men are good for what was happily called “ Brute voting.” 8 p.m. It is stated that the programme of the Middle Party’s latest phase may be thus described:— Vote with the Pox party, oust the Grey Government, then coalesce with the Grey Government, oust Fox, and then be in a position to dictate terms to the Grey party. It is stated that Sir Julius Vogel wanted to be appointed Resident Minister permanently at London, irremovable by any Government, with a person under him to fulfil the duties of AgentGeneral, as he considered that position would give him'greater weight. The proposition was declined.