LATEST WELLINGTON NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6213, 15 October 1881, Page 5

LATEST WELLINGTON NEWS.

Isr telegrafh.-special correspondent.] Wellington, Friday. THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. OLIVER. It should be clearly understood that Mr. Oliver's return to the Ministry -was not to fill up the vacancy which has so long been the subject of speculative curiosity. He joins simply as an eighth Minister, assuming all the places to be filled up. J- he law permits such an extra Minister tc be Appointed provided he do not and it is on this understanding that Mi. Oliver has consented to rejoin n.s former colleagues. This restores the balance of power in the Cabinet, so far as Otago 13 concerned. In regard to his elevation to the Legislative Council, it was thought, I understand, very desirable to have another Minister to assist Mr. Whitaker in the Council work, which has now grown very heavy. New blood is also much needed in the Council, and Mr. Oliver's former association with the most arduous department of Oovernment will render him a very useful acquisition to the Upper House. Such, 1 believe, are the reasons which have guided the Government iu making the offer to Mr. Oliver, but I hear that he hesitated some time before accepting, in consequence of the somewhat unsatisfactory state of his health. It is re-retted that for this last reason he had determined to retire from the Uuuediu election, as his health would not have permitted him to face the fatigue and worry of a contest. The present arrangement with him does not at all solve the question as to the allotment of the vacant portfolio, which, I am told, will not be settled for some little time vet.

" ' NATIVE AFFAIRS. There is nothing fresh respecting native affairs, but I may caution you against being misled by statements from the Wanganui Herald, that active measures will be taken by the Government before the 17th, when the next Parihaka meeting comes oil. Tins is utterly incorrect. Government will not be ready by that time, and it is also deemed very desirable that the result of recent events and their effect on the proceedings at the meeting should first be noted before any aTessivc measures are adopted. As 1 pointed out, Mr. Kolleston's conference with Te Whiti was obviously in the nature of an ultimatum and prelude to immediate and vigorous enforcement of the law. Preparation is steadily going on. The Hinemoa tnkes up another large batch of Armed ConstabuS-.ry recruits to-night or to-morrow, and eturns at once to get another. Arrangements are being made to have a strong force of volunteers on the ground to protect the settlements and garrison posts, so as to leave the constabulary free for active operations, which are intended to be of a thorough and conclusive character. The direct communication with Te "Whiti, advised by Royal Commission, has now been carried out, but has failed, and nothing now remains but to compel obedience to the law and remove obstruction to settlement. The good prices fetched by the Han-era laud show tli.it full confidence in tlie Government is felt by the residents in the disturbed districts, notwithstanding the iinaaiuitive stories of inventive "specials. '