THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1882.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6400, 23 May 1882, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1882.

\ Monday is not a sitting 'day in the House of Representatives, and therefore it is the favourite day for holding a caucus. The Opposition took the field yesterday, and held a review of their forces preliminary to coming out in battle array. There are several of the members . ot the Opposition party who are not yet at Wellington, including two Auckland members, Messrs. Tole and Moss. Mr. Macandrew took the chair, and explained that it was necessary for the party, to have a leader. He further went on to say

that he was a proposal on that point," 'but'"it was agreed to postpone this till the r whole party should assemble in - streagth. Mr.' Macacdrew could not mean that he was ready to propose Himself, and we suppose there can be no doubt that the conclusion referred to by our correspondent is the correct one, and that Mr. .Montgomery is to be the leader of what is undoubtedly a strong Opposition. It must be acknowledged that he is not.a strong leader. : Mr. Montgomery has been a child of great expectations since his advent to Parliament, and considering what has come of these expectations, we feel- some surprise that) he should be the chosen man. The answer to all objections will probably be, that there was no choice. Mr. Montgomex'y's vanity impels him to seek the position; Mr. Macandrew, the only other possible leader at present, ;has no vanity in that direction. He i would infinitely prefer the position of : king-maker to that of king. As leader 'of the party he would be in a position of embarrassment as respects the looking after Otago interests solely, and that is where bis ambition lies. Mr. Montgomery will be little better than a ■ puppet in his hands. Mr. Macandrew is in the far more powerful position of leader of the Otago party. Sir George Grey did not attend the caucus, but is said to have approved the proposed arrangements. The session is likely to be inaugurated by a bitter debate on the proceedings of the Government on the West Coast. ■ These have been so emphatically approved in their results by the country that danger to the Ministry can scarcely be apprehended, but there are many openings for attack. The political position as disclosed yesterday will be found fully set forth in our special correspondent's letter.